Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
9,586.00 ft (2,921.81 m)
Trail type
Shuttle
Distance
62.70 mi (100.91 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Pacific Crest Trail: California Section K is a 63-mile point-to-point section of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) that extends from Echo Lake to Highway 80 / Donner Summit. There are 22 miles of this section that are shared with the Tahoe Rim Trail, another long distance scenic trail. In this section, the trail is multi-use and is open to hikers, runners, backpackers, and horseback riders. 

This section of the PCT runs along the west side of Lake Tahoe, the largest lake in the Sierra Nevada. The trail passes through the Desolation Wilderness, one of the most popular wilderness areas in the country, as well as Granite Chief Wilderness, which features steep glacier-carved valleys, fragrant pine forests, and lush meadows with spectacular spring wildflower displays.

MILES AND WAYPOINTS (South to North)

03.00 - Enter Desolation Wilderness 

24.00 - Leave Desolation Wilderness

37.00 - Enter Granite Chief Wilderness

46.00 - Leave Granite Chief Wilderness

59.00 - Donner Pass Road

PERMITS

For information about regional and/or long distance permits please visit https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/permits/.

HALFMILE MAPS

Lon Cooper, aka "Halfmile," is a hiker, photographer, and map maker. His website provides a wealth of essential information for prospective trail hikers, such as trail notes, maps, and resupply information. You can find Halfmile's information at https://pctmap.net

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL ASSOCIATION: www.pcta.org 

The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is a non-profit organization that manages and maintains the Pacific Crest Trail. Visit their website for information about the trail, volunteer opportunities, thru-hiker blogs, trail closures, and more. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Tahoe Rim Trail Association: https://tahoerimtrail.org/

Desolation Wilderness: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/?recid=11786

Granite Chief Wilderness: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/?recid=11819

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall
Summer

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Days

4

Pros

Desolation Wilderness. Granite Peak Wilderness. Tinker Knob.

Cons

Extra permits required.

Trailhead Elevation

7,415.00 ft (2,260.09 m)

Highest point

9,356.00 ft (2,851.71 m)

Features

Near lake or river
Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Geologically significant
Wildflowers
Big vistas

Typically multi-day

Yes

Suitable for

Horseback

Permit required

Yes

Permit self-issue on site

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Lake Tahoe + Northern Sierra, California
Lake Tahoe + Northern Sierra, California
Lake Tahoe + Northern Sierra, California

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