Ward Peak
4.4 mi · ▲ 1,751 ft · 2 hr 21 min
Ward Peak is a 4.4-mile out-and-back near Alpine Meadows, CA. The route reaches Ward Peak at the turnaround, 2.2 miles in. It climbs 1,751 ft, with sections as steep as 31% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 77/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Ward Peak
4.4 mi · ▲ 1,751 ft · 2 hr 21 min
Elevation 6,894–8,618 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 39.16479, -120.23773
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 82°F / low 50° · precip 0% · wind 10 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:12 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 250 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.6 miSharp right, heading NE.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 0.6 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.2 miReach Ward Peak, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
- 50 ftBear right, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading N.
- 0.6 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~84 min). Leave by 6:27 PM for the 8:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Estelle Lake 2 mi · ▲ 1,004 ft
- Scott Peak & Scott Peak Trail 4.1 mi · ▲ 1,311 ft
- Scott Peak & Scott Peak Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 1,371 ft
- Ward Peak 5 mi · ▲ 1,721 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,284 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,288 ft
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Hikes near Alpine Meadows, California