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California
5.0 mi
Distance
312 ft
Gain
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Eldorado National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
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Why you'll love it
Lake Margaret
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
Lake Margaret is a scenic alpine lake hike offering stunning mountain views with moderate elevation gain. This 5-mile round trip ascends through mixed forest and meadow terrain to reach a pristine alpine lake, making it an excellent choice for hikers seeking a rewarding day hike without extreme technical difficulty. The trail provides excellent opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing, and enjoying California's high country landscape.
Emigrant Lake
~0 min drive
Moderate 8.83-mile hike to scenic alpine lake with 1,713 ft elevation gain.
Kirkwood Lake Loop
~1 min drive
Easy 3-mile alpine lake loop with gentle elevation gain.
Sentinels
~2 min drive
Easy 2.6-mile walk with minimal elevation gain, perfect for casual hikers.
Thunder Mountain Loop
~3 min drive
Moderate 9.5-mile loop with 1,820 ft elevation gain and panoramic mountain views.
Strawberry Creek
~4 min drive
Easy creek-side walk through woodland with minimal elevation gain.
Schneider Camp
~3 min drive
Easy 1.55-mile forest walk to a historic camp with minimal elevation gain.
Bryan Meadow
~10 min drive
Moderate meadow hike with steady elevation gain and scenic grassland views.
Minkalo
~6 min drive
Easy 4.26-mile trail with gentle elevation gain near Minkalo.
Thunder Mountain
~4 min drive
Quick 1.2-mile climb to Thunder Mountain with 181 ft elevation gain.
Summit City
~11 min drive
Moderate 6.4-mile foothill hike with 416 ft elevation gain and scenic ridge views.