Hard
California · United States
- Distance
- 17.3 km / 10.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 533 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr 29 min
- Lake
- Mountain
Nelson Lake Trail
EasyCalifornia · United States
- Distance
- 5.3 km (3.3 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 164 m (538 ft)
- Typical time
- 1 hr 21 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 2,729 m (8,953 ft)
About Nelson Lake Trail
Nelson Lake Trail is a 5.3 km hiking route in California, United States. It climbs roughly 164 m (538 ft) along the way, topping out at 2,729 m (8,953 ft). Most people take around 1 hr 21 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The grade stays gentle throughout, so it works as a first hike of a trip.
This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come. The lakeshore section is the natural place to stop, eat and swim if the season allows.
Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
The high sections hold snow long after the valleys are green, which keeps the usable season to high summer.
In short, Nelson Lake Trail suits families, first-time visitors and anyone looking for a half day outdoors. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Easy5.3 km164 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +164 m
- Descent
- −14 m
- High
- 2,729 m (8,953 ft)
- Low
- 2,569 m (8,428 ft)
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 upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.
Highlights
- High point of 2,729 m (8,953 ft)
- Lake
- Mountain
Know before you go
- Best season
- July to September
- 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
- 66/100
- Adventure
- 34/100
- Difficulty
- 17/100
- Accessibility
- 69/100
- Family
- 74/100
- Dogs
- 70/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
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 july to september for the most reliable conditions.
- Calm mornings give mirror reflections on the water, so it is worth being there early.
- 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
- 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
- Microspikes if you are walking at the edges of the season
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. 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 Nelson Lake Trail yet. Be the first.
Trails near Nelson Lake Trail
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
California · United States
- Distance
- 3.0 km / 1.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 8 m
- Typical duration
- 38 min
- Lake
- Mountain
Moderate
California · United States
- Distance
- 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 82 m
- Typical duration
- 22 min
- Mountain
Moderate
California · United States
- Distance
- 11.3 km / 7.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 335 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 52 min
- Mountain
- Alpine meadow
Moderate
California · United States
- Distance
- 3.5 km / 2.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 31 m
- Typical duration
- 47 min
Moderate
California · United States
- Distance
- 1.2 km / 0.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 20 m
- Typical duration
- 17 min
- Lake
- Mountain