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

0 mi6,893 – 8,619 ft · steepest grade: 31%5.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.16479, -120.23773
Nearest town Alpine Meadows, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

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 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

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  3. 350 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  4. 450 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  5. 250 ftBear right, heading S.
  6. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  7. 0.6 miSharp right, heading NE.
  8. 0.3 miSharp left, heading NW.
  9. 0.6 miSharp left, heading SW.
  10. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  11. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  12. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  14. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  15. 0.2 miReach Ward Peak, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 0.2 miSharp right, heading S.
  17. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  18. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  19. 50 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  20. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
  21. 1 miSharp right, heading E.
  22. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  23. 250 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  24. 1.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  25. 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

73% dirt27% gravel

Weather

ClearTemperature 82°F50°
Precip0%Wind10 mphUV8Humidity22%
Hourly temperature
85°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:12 PM
Tue 82°60°
Wed 82°55°
Thu 86°55°
Fri 86°57°
Sat 86°57°
Sun 87°54°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.0 mi in (~87 min). Leave by 6:25 PM for the 8:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead