The Best Snowshoe Trails in California (United States)

Matrimony Ridge

Snowshoe

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NevadaRambler

Distance

5.73mi

Elevation +

1106f

TrailRank

36

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A great snowshoe hike from I-80 (near Kingvale Exit) to Matrimony Ridge, Tahoe National Forest, California, USA. Take I-80 to the Kingvale exit, then west on Donner Pass Road. There are a few parking spaces at the tra...

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Schallenberger Ridge

Snowshoe

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Joel Snook

Distance

5.10mi

Elevation +

1749f

TrailRank

34

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Takes some effort but the views are worth it! From the parking lot we hiked along snow covered but very packed Cold Stream Drive till we reached the side of the ridge to save time and improve our odds of reaching the ...

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Badger Pass Ski Area to Dewey Point

Snowshoe

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markmcla

Distance

8.35mi

Elevation +

830f

TrailRank

32

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This is a fantastic, beautiful walk through the forest and snow covered meadows, and it ends with an incredible view at Dewey Point. At Dewey Point you can look down into Yosemite Valley, which is more than 3000' below. ...

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Mt Tallac 4-17-2010

Snowshoe

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millertime

Distance

7.49mi

Elevation +

3373f

TrailRank

31

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Snowshoeing up Mt Tallac from Spring Creek Road. 3400ft vertical gain, 3200 of that in 2 miles. With the road closed in the winter, it's a mile's walk from hwy89 to the end of pomo road where you start the ascent. 6.3 mi...

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Chipmunk Bluff Ridge

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

3.64mi

Elevation +

377f

TrailRank

29| 4.67

Map and location information for Chipmunk Bluff in California: Chipmunk Bluff is one of the Summits in El Dorado County, CA and can be found on the Loon Lake USGS topographic quad map. The GPS coordinates are 38.9690731 ...

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Schallenberger Ridge Part

Snowshoe

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Joel Snook

Distance

2.26mi

Elevation +

846f

TrailRank

29

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Pretty ascent up the side of the ridge with good distant views of Donner Lake and Coldstream Valley when the trees thinned out. Easy access from the freeway. This was our first time here and we accidentally picked a s...

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Matrimony Ridge 2011-04

Snowshoe

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NevadaRambler

Distance

4.87mi

Elevation +

971f

TrailRank

29

Snowshoe route to Matrimony Ridge, Tahoe National Forest, from I-80 near Kingvale, California, USA. This route mostly follows the marked blue diamond Nordic trail.

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Castle Ridge

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

4.49mi

Elevation +

745f

TrailRank

29

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Castle Ridge, take the Boreal/Castle Peak exit from I-80 at Donner Summit. Go east along the frontage road on the north side of the freeway. Park where the pavement ends. From the pavement end, follow the dirt road about...

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Walking Loon Lake

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

3.44mi

Elevation +

161f

TrailRank

28

Chinese laborers helped build a series of dams between the late 19th century and the middle of the 20th century at Loon Lake, a reservoir tucked in the high mountains of the Eldorado National Forest. The original Loon...

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Castle Valley to Peter Grub hut

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

6.01mi

Elevation +

2201f

TrailRank

28

Accessible by skis or snowshoes, the Peter Grubb hut makes for an awesome remote winter camping experience. The hut is surrounded by several peaks that boast amazing views of the Tahoe basin. A winter season must do! ...

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Winnemucca Lk and Frog Lk via Carson Pass

Snowshoe

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HikingBobo

Distance

4.46mi

Elevation +

594f

TrailRank

28

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We came back beside Frog Lake. We were between the two trails, probably should follow one of the “trails” back, but still see Frog Lake.

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Snowshoe Donner Summit, Summit Lake Area

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FoothillHikers

Distance

2.24mi

Elevation +

433f

TrailRank

27

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This track has several points where I went off trail to practice trailbreaking. Track logged 02/21/2011. Directions and Description: I80 East Boreal Exit: Turn left (right will take you into the Boreal ski parking lot...

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2020-12-22 Maggies Peak in Desolation Wilderness, California

Snowshoe

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huangyizhou

Distance

4.37mi

Elevation +

1926f

TrailRank

26

A snowshoe trip to the top of Maggies Peak, with views overlooking Lake Tahoe. The trail passed through Granite Lake, a frozen alpine lake. During my visit the trail to Granite Lake was well-packed and did not require a...

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Becker peak

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

4.06mi

Elevation +

1348f

TrailRank

26

Becker peak Becker Peak Trail is a 2.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Echo Lake, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activit...

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Frog Lake

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

4.25mi

Elevation +

574f

TrailRank

26

Frog Lake RAIL DESCRIPTION: The trail to Frog Lake is part of the Pacific Crest Trail and is an easy 1.2 miles hike to the Lake. The trail to Winnemuca Lake is an additional 1.5 miles up a gradual slope to the lake leve...

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Scott's Lake 2010-01-31

Snowshoe

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NevadaRambler

Distance

4.87mi

Elevation +

883f

TrailRank

25

Snowshoe to Scott's Lake, Toiyabe National Forest, Alpine County, California, USA. Trailhead on California Hwy 88 in Hope Valley, west of Carson Pass.

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2020-12-21 Roundtop Peak in Eldorado National Forest

Snowshoe

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huangyizhou

Distance

6.49mi

Elevation +

1949f

TrailRank

25

A strenuous trip up the mountain that’s rewarded with views of endless Sierra Nevada mountains to the south wearing white. Click the following "View more" link for complete trip report.

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Eagle Lake Exploration

Snowshoe

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travelingdina

Distance

1.48mi

Elevation +

135f

TrailRank

24

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Start with the Eagle Lake One Way hike. We hiked in the snow and snowshoed a little to a pretty waterfall.

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Boreal Ridge 2010-01-03

Snowshoe

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NevadaRambler

Distance

4.17mi

Elevation +

778f

TrailRank

24

Snowshoe hike from PCT trailhead at I-80 to Flora, Azalea, and Angela Lakes, then to the top of Boreal Ridge; near Soda Springs, California, USA.

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Sagehen Creek Area

Snowshoe

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NevadaRambler

Distance

4.81mi

Elevation +

617f

TrailRank

24

A snowshoe hike in the Sagehen Creek Campground area, Tahoe National Forest, north of Truckee, California, USA, west of California Hwy 89.

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Brockway to Peak 7766 2011-01-08

Snowshoe

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NevadaRambler

Distance

3.23mi

Elevation +

758f

TrailRank

24

A moderate snowshoe hike from Brockway Summit (California Hwy 267) to Peak 7766, which is a rocky outcropping that overlooks Lake Tahoe. This area is partly private forest land and part National Forest, but is generally ...

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Lost Trail Lodge

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

7.55mi

Elevation +

390f

TrailRank

24

Lost Trail Lodge My destination was the Lost Trail Lodge, a hike-in lodge about four miles away, in a valley south of Donner Lake, bounded on three sides by Sierra Nevada peaks. I learned about the place the previous...

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Kirkwood

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

4.02mi

Elevation +

472f

TrailRank

24

Kirkwood Cross Country and Snowshoe Center. 80km of groomed trails at 7,800 feet offer the most spectacular scenery and exciting terrain in the west. Located 1/4 mile east of Kirkwood on Hwy 88 (next to the Kirkwood Inn)...

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Azalea Lake

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

3.06mi

Elevation +

197f

TrailRank

23

Azalea Lake and Flora Lake via Donner Summit Lakes Trail is a 2.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Soda Springs, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a...

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boreal through Castle Valley

Snowshoe

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Moonshinedf

Distance

4.21mi

Elevation +

823f

TrailRank

22

Castle Valley Loop Trail is moderately trafficked loop trail located near Soda Springs, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and ...

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