Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities: Hiking, Biking, and Horses

Highway 88 Corridor

NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL INFORMATION

Legend: Symbol Descriptions

Highway 88 Corridor Trail Descriptions

Devil's Lake: Turn south off of Highway 88 on the Bear River Reservoir Road. Travel approximately two miles. At the first signed intersection, take the fork to the right (8N03 - South Shore). At the second and third signed intersections, stay to the left (8N03) and follow the road to a sign that says "Devil's Lake Trailhead". The trail is a moderate one and one-half mile hike to the lake. Devil's Lake is one of a few Sierra lakes where leeches may be found.
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Allen Camp: To reach the trailhead from Highway 88, turn south onto Plasse's Resort Road (near the south end of Silver Lake), and go through Plasse's Resort, and follow the road toward the Stockton Municipal Camp for approximately one-third mile to the trailhead on the left. The trail climbs steadily through forested and rocky slopes until it joins with the Mud Lake (OHV) Road near Allen Camp. NOTE: This trail is open to motorcycle use.
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Granite Lake: Turn south off Highway 88 at the north end of Silver Lake near the spillway by the Kit Carson Lodge sign (Use extreme caution! The road is very narrow and heavily traveled). Where the road forks, go left. Trailhead parking is located at the end of the road. The trail ascends and crosses Squaw Creek on a wooden bridge. Approximately one-half mile beyond the bridge is a junction. The right fork will take you to Plasse's and the left fork will take you to Granite Lake. At the southeast end of the lake you will find the trail to Hidden Lake. After traveling about three-quarters of a mile, the trail will fork. The left fork will take you to Hidden Lake and the right fork travels to Plasse's. The trail from Hidden Lake, down to Plasse's, then up to Granite Lake and back to Hidden Lake is a nice 5.3 mile loop.
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Hidden Lake: See Granite Lake description.
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Horse Canyon: The trailhead is located near Oyster Creek about three-quarters of a mile east of Silver Lake. The trail travels through a forested landscape winding through unique volcanic rock outcroppings. Small meadows near the top of the trail are filled with wildflowers in mid-summer. Views of Thimble Peak and Silver Lake are beautiful. A portion of this trail is contained within the Thunder Mountain-Horse Canyon Loop Trail. NOTE: Only the Horse Canyon portion of the trail is open to OHV (motorcycle) use. Please watch for motorbikes and horses. Cycling and OHV use is not premitted beyond the Mokelumne Wilderness border.
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Minkalo-Plasse: See Granite Lake description.
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Scout Carson Lake: Follow the Horse Canyon Trail to the junction near Covered Wagon Peak (five miles), and take the trail to the right, which leads to Scout Carson Lake.
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Shealor Lake: The trailhead is located on the north side of Highway 88 near Silver Lake, about one-half mile east of Plasse's turnoff and one mile west of Kay's Resort. The trail climbs steadily through open granite and timber for three-quarters of a mile where you will enjoy spectacular views of Silver Lake and Thunder Mountain. The trail then descends to Shealor Lake.
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Thunder Mountain The trailhead is located on the south side of Highway 88 just west of Carson Spur. The trail traverses along ridge tops offering High Sierra views. The 360-degree panorama from the top of Thunder Mountain is magnificent. The hike from the trailhead to the top of Thunder Mountain is about three and one-half miles. A portion of this trail is contained within the Thunder Mountain Horse Canyon Loop Trail.
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Thunder Mountain Horse Canyon Loop:This 10.3 mile loop can be accessed at the Horse Canyon Trailhead, Thunder Mountain Trailhead or at the Martin Meadow camping area on the north side of Highway 88 between Silver and Caples Lakes. The segment of the trail north of Highway 88 is 3.3 miles long and relatively easy. The trail follows a portion of the old highway then climbs gradually up to the ridgeline near Castle Point offering dramatic views of the rugged Caples Creek Canyon and the Crystal Range in the distance. The portion of the trail south of Highway 88 is moderate to difficult, and is comprised of 2.2 miles of the Horse Canyon Trail, a 1.6 mile connector to the Thunder Mountain trail and 3.2 miles of the Thunder Mountain Trail. NOTE: Only the Horse Canyon portion of the trail is open to OHV (motorcycle) use.
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Lake Margaret: The trailhead is located on the north side of Highway 88 between Kirkwood Inn and Caples Lake. Hiking to Lake Margaret is a moderate two and one-half mile walk. The wildflowers in mid-summer and changing color of the aspens in autumn are beautiful.
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Meiss Lake: The trailhead is a parking lot on the north side of Highway 88 immediately west of the Carson Pass Information Center. There is a parking fee required at the Meiss and Carson Pass parking areas. Follow the Pacific Crest Trail one mile to the ridge. You will experience spectacular views and a brilliant wildflower display about mid-summer. Meiss Lake is another three miles from the ridge top. Cycling is prohibited along the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Canada to Mexico.
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Showers Lake: The trail starts at Schneider Camp Road on the north side of Highway 88. The trail climbs to a ridge that surrounds the Meiss Lake basin and provides excellent views of Lake Tahoe in the distance. Then the trail drops down to Showers Lake, which is located on the Pacific Crest Trail. Cycling is prohibited along the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Canada to Mexico.
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USDA Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 24 January 2005 at 20:07:30 EST