The Best Trails in Lower Forni, California (United States)

Wrights Lake-enchanted pools loop

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ClipperCreekWanderer

Distance: 4.03mi
Elevation +: 427f
TrailRank: 64| 5.0

Photo ofWrights Lake-enchanted pools loop

Four mile trip- half of the way is off-trail on exposed, glaciated granite. Beautiful swimming holes and waterfalls

Plenty of flowers and great pools to soak your feet in

Moonshinedf

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ENCHANTED POOLS

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FoothillHikers

Distance: 1.96mi
Elevation +: 548f
TrailRank: 49

Located near Wrights Lake off the Twin Lakes Trail. Turn-off (left) for Wrights Lake Road is 1.5 miles past the 5000 ft elevation sign. Drive ~7-miles up Wrights Lake Road. Turn right at the stop sign near the campground...

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Island Lake in Desolation

Hiking

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PeachyHiker

Distance: 7.52mi
Elevation +: 1224f
TrailRank: 34

Sunscreen ans sunglasses are a must for crossing acres of granite. I suggest packing along a parka or hoodie at least in case of weather issues. Take plenty of water and snacks. Hiking poles are a fantastic help! To back...

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Rockbound TH to Maude Lake in Desolation

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PeachyHiker

Distance: 10.09mi
Elevation +: 1158f
TrailRank: 34

Photo ofRockbound TH to Maude Lake in Desolation

Your hike begins through shady forest, an aspen grove, and later onto granite trail, clearly marked with rocks. It has carved rock stairs for the climb and small switchbacks. Best on a day that isn't too hot. Its a prett...

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Lyons Creek Trail

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Mark Moore

Distance: 6.58mi
Elevation +: 636f
TrailRank: 34

The first 3 miles of Lyons Creek Trail Is a fairly gentle grade. In late July there are wonderful wildflowers. In 2022 those wildflowers were mixed amongst burned trees from the Caldor Fire the previous year.

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Grouse Hemlock Smith Lakes Hike

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PeachyHiker

Distance: 6.99mi
Elevation +: 1880f
TrailRank: 32

Vigorous hike, the grade going down the Smith vista by bushwhacking was 39.8%! 34.1% just before 3.5 miles of the 7 loaded here. 31.4 % climbing to Hemlock. The trail is maintained and as long as you are fit, it's do-abl...

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Maud-Doris-Lois Lks Rkbnd

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PeachyHiker

Distance: 9.15mi
Elevation +: 1834f
TrailRank: 30

Mileage is one way so you will double that. (I put on 24 total miles) Start at Rockbound Trailhead near Wright's Lake. Walk by Beauty Lake, through forest with ferns, willows, wildflowers, then up acres of open granite t...

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Twin, boomerang and Island lakes from Wright’s Lake

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HikingBobo

Distance: 9.64mi
Elevation +: 1260f
TrailRank: 29

Photo ofTwin, boomerang and Island lakes from Wright’s Lake

Beautiful leisurely hike. The gate was closed at Wright’s Lake so it added an extra 1 to 1-1/2 miles.

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MAUD LAKE, DESOLATION WILDERNESS, CA

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PeachyHiker

Distance: 10.09mi
Elevation +: 1158f
TrailRank: 27

Photo ofMAUD LAKE, DESOLATION WILDERNESS, CA

The mileage is over-rated. This was exploratory. You can stop a good mile sooner and enjoy the lake. My other tracks show the trail over the summit eastward to include Doris Lakes and Lois Lake. The hike to Maud is over ...

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Wright’s Lake to enchanted pools

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Lklifeart

Distance: 6.22mi
Elevation +: 538f
TrailRank: 27

Photo ofWright’s Lake to enchanted pools

Beautiful day hiking from Wright’s Lake to enchanted pools, stunning landscapes. We went too far up twin lakes trail and had to back track to hike across to the Enchanted pools. Lots of exploring on the way over.

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Island lake

Hiking

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ClipperCreekWanderer

Distance: 8.38mi
Elevation +: 1247f
TrailRank: 27

lovely meadows and creekside and bare granite trail. the small loop in the middle is due to us losing the trail at one point. It is best to only follow the most northern section of the tiny end loop

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Wrights Lake to Grouse, Hemlock, and Smith Lakes, Eldorado National Forest, California

Hiking

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Strixer

Distance: 3.16mi
Elevation +: 1739f
TrailRank: 27

This is the trail to Grouse, Hemlock, and Smith Lakes. Since this is mostly in a Wilderness area, user groups include only hikers and horses. Mechanized transport including bicycles are not allowed. It is a one way trail...

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Sylvia and Lyon Lakes, Desolation Wilderness, California

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Strixer

Distance: 6.03mi
Elevation +: 1781f
TrailRank: 27

This is the trail to Sylvia, and Lyon Lakes. Since this is mostly in a Wilderness area, user groups include only hikers and horses. Mechanized transportation (including bicycles) is not allowed. The hike is suitable as e...

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Wrights Lake to Twin Lakes CA

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DogPack

Distance: 5.31mi
Elevation +: 1001f
TrailRank: 26| 3.67

Round trip from Twin Lakes Trailhead (at Wrights Lake) to Twin Lakes. Trail starts out easy, then starts up up up with lots of granite, rock hopping, high steps. Beautiful hike. Go early to avoid crowds. We saw a bald ea...

Get's more difficult with a pack, some big steps that are more noticeable on the way down.

maxslimmer

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Lyons Trailhead, Mt. Price & Mt. Agassiz and back

Alpine Climbing

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mj134

Distance: 16.61mi
Elevation +: 3714f
TrailRank: 25

Photo ofLyons Trailhead, Mt. Price & Mt. Agassiz and back

Wonderful hike to Mt. Price and Agassiz Peaks. Lots of snow fields to cross to gain access to the peaks. 8:30 hr/min on the trail and almost 16 miles.

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Bloodsucker Lake Trail

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Brandon Towne

Distance: 8.14mi
Elevation +: 801f
TrailRank: 24

Bloodsucker Lake Trail is a moderate trail due to some difficult inclines and unmarked portions of the trail. Due to its low traffic, it seems the forest service does not do as much work to maintain and cut trees. There ...

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Enchanted Pools 6-22-18

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cchenshaw

Distance: 6.36mi
Elevation +: 335f
TrailRank: 23

The gate was closed for the winter so an extra mile was added to the hike to get to the trailhead from gate.

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Grouse Lake in Desolation Wilderness

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thejasonpost

Distance: 4.52mi
Elevation +: 1132f
TrailRank: 23

Photo ofGrouse Lake in Desolation Wilderness

Tough uphill climb but very peaceful. The lake was a nice destination. Bring snacks and water! Out and back not a loop

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Grouse Lake Track

Hiking

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PeachyHiker

Distance: 1.90mi
Elevation +: 1191f
TrailRank: 21

http://peachyhiker.blogspot.com/2011/02/grouse-lake-aug-2010.html has a set of photos and small account of the hike. 1249 ft elevation change. 11.7% grade. 3.8 mi round trip. Out n back hike.

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West Crystal Range Hike

Hiking

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millertime

Distance: 15.43mi
Elevation +: 3222f
TrailRank: 19

3 day loop hike starting at the Twin Lakes trail head. Camp at Island Lake night 1. Ascend the northwest bowl of Mount Price and drop down to Lyons Lake. Camped at Lake Sylvia night 2. Day 3 we took the Lyons Creek trail...

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Pyramid Peak

Hiking

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Colin McKinlay

Distance: 12.84mi
Elevation +: 3323f
TrailRank: 19

Off-trail hike to Pyramid Peak in Desolation Wilderness starting from the Lyons creek trailhead and heading off-trail at Lake Sylvia. Class 2 assent from Lake Sylvia

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Lyon Creek to Sylvia Lake

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PeachyHiker

Distance: 4.57mi
Elevation +: 1352f
TrailRank: 18

4.57 miles each way. Out and back hike. 2704 total ascent and descent feet, 5.6% grade. Difficulty depends on weather conditions. Easier without the melting snow! Creek crossing.

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