Skip to content

Kelly Camp Trail

ModerateCalifornia · United States

GPX
Distance
5.6 km (3.5 mi)
Elevation gain
285 m (935 ft)
Typical time
1 hr 35 min
Difficulty
Moderate
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
1,819 m (5,968 ft)

About Kelly Camp Trail

Kelly Camp Trail is a 5.6 km hiking route in California, United States. It climbs roughly 285 m (935 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,819 m (5,968 ft). Most people take around 1 hr 35 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Expect a steady effort with a few sustained climbs, well within reach if you walk regularly.

There is no one famous view here. The appeal is the sustained quality of the walking and the fact that you are unlikely to share it with a crowd.

It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.

The route usually comes into condition in June and stays good until the first serious autumn weather.

In short, Kelly Camp Trail suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Moderate5.6 km285 m

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+285 m
Descent
86 m
High
1,819 m (5,968 ft)
Low
1,619 m (5,312 ft)
1595 m1657 m1719 m1781 m1843 m0.0 km1.4 km2.7 km4.1 km5.4 km

The route in detail

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The gradient is spread evenly, so there is no single section that dictates your pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 28 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • High point of 1,819 m (5,968 ft)

Know before you go

Best season
June to October
Waymarked
Not consistently
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Patchy on the upper sections
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
36/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
21/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
20/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
63/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
35/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
  • Aim for june to october for the most reliable conditions.
  • Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
  • At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Small first aid kit including blister plasters

Photography

Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

No one has reviewed Kelly Camp Trail yet. Be the first.

Sign in to review

Trails near Kelly Camp Trail

Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.

Native species were planted along the lake bottom to supplement natural revegetation.
Easy

California · United States

Distance
0.4 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
6 min
  • Lake
Moderate

California · United States

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
102 m
Typical duration
43 min
Easy

California · United States

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
17 min
Native species were planted along the lake bottom to supplement natural revegetation.
Easy

California · United States

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
20 m
Typical duration
35 min
Fumaroles in the Devils Kitchen hydrothermal area, Lassen Volcanic National Park, in late July 2020
Moderate

California · United States

Distance
4.0 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
56 m
Typical duration
56 min
  • Lake

Keep exploring