Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities: Winter - Cross Country Skiing

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Loon Lake

Pacific Ranger District

Directions:

Loon Lake is 45 miles northeast of Placerville on the Pacific Ranger District of the Eldorado National Forest. To reach this beautiful area, travel 20 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 to the Ice House Road (8.5 miles east of Pollock Pines), then north on Ice House Road 30 miles to Loon Lake.

Description:

The area's special beauty is characterized by open bowls, ridges, and wooded drainages surrounded by mountain peaks. Ridges and peaks offer panoramic views of Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, and the Crystal Mountain Range.

Loon Lake Trail Map

Loon Lake Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Guide (pdf)

Trail Descriptions

Chipmunk Bluff Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles or 2.5 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
The trail starts on the west side of Loon Lake Chalet parking lot and heads southwest along the road to the ridge.

Berts Lake Trail
Distance: 1.0 miles or 1.5 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
The trail starts at the west side of the Loon Lake Chalet parking lot. Ski around the pond and climb the ridge to the lake. Look for flag poles in open areas.

Polaris Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles or 4 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Follow the road across the first dam, then continue north along the road to the second dam.

Telemark Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles or 2.5 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
Ski north on the Polaris Trail 2.5 km. Turn left at the second sign and ski counterclockwise uphill through the saddle then down through a large open bowl and return to the road.

Zephyr Trail
Distance: 0.7 miles or 1.0 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Walk or ski on the edge of the road 150 meters south from the parking lot along Loon Lake Road to the trailhead on the east side of the road near the powerhouse. Ski southeast to the Campground Trail.

Campground Trail
Distance: 1.3 miles or 2.0 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
This is an easy trail, excellent for beginners. Travel east from Loon Lake Road into the campground. The trail skirts the east edge of the boat ramp and follows looping roads through the campground.

Glissade Trail
Distance: 0.7 miles or 1 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 - 6,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Follow the trail south from the Campground Trail towards Brown Mountain. It loops north to the south shore of Loon Lake, returning to the Campground Trail.

Orion Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles or 5.5 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 - 6,700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This mostly unmarked trail heads northeast from the Shadow Trail towards Brown Mountain. It loops north to the south shore of Loon Lake, returning to the Campground Trail.

Shadow Trail
Distance: 4.3 miles or 7.0 kilometer
Elevation: 6,400 - 7,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail starts approximately 1/3 of a mile down the Campground Trail on the right. Travel southeast over a trail bridge at the Rubicon River, continue southeast on the road to the ridge then loop back to the trail along the ridge.

**All trail routes are marked with X-C symbol signs and Blue Diamond Trail Blazers.

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USDA Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 24 January 2005 at 15:35:48 EST