Ward Peak
5 mi · ▲ 1,721 ft · 2 hr 32 min
Ward Peak is a 5-mile out-and-back near Alpine Meadows, CA. The route reaches Ward Peak. It climbs 1,721 ft, with sections as steep as 31% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 81/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Ward Peak
5 mi · ▲ 1,721 ft · 2 hr 32 min
Elevation 6,894–8,618 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 39.16479, -120.23773
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:01 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 miSharp right, heading S.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 1 miSharp right, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 250 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 1.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 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 2.0 mi in (~87 min). Leave by 5:14 PM for the 7:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:04 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
- Tahoe Rim Trail (Ward Creek) & Tahoe Rim Trail 12.3 mi · ▲ 1,825 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 8.3 mi · ▲ 1,607 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 8.4 mi · ▲ 1,574 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 8.5 mi · ▲ 1,634 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 8.5 mi · ▲ 1,634 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 8.4 mi · ▲ 1,574 ft
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Hikes near Alpine Meadows, California