Details
Features
About this place
Loch Leven Lakes Trail is a relatively easy to access provides beautiful scenery, along a low traffic out-and-back trail. The hike is 5-7.5 miles depending on which lake you want to go to: Lower Loch Leven, Middle Loch Leven, High Loch Leven).
The trail is easy to follow for the first half mile until you get to some large slabs of granite. As you continue up the trail look for stacked rocks, these will give you a an easy route as you continue up the mountain. The trail then starts to switch back eventually leading to a small bridge. After crossing the bridge you will proceed roughly 1/4 of a mile and end up at a set of railroad tracks, the trail continues on the other side of the tracks straight across from where you came out.
Once on the other side the trail will continue up some switchbacks through the forest for another mile and is moderately steep until eventually defending into the first lake. If you continue from the lower lake another mile on the trail you will end up at the upper lake where there are rocks to jump off and more places to camp. The distance to the lower lake is 2.5 miles one way. If you intend to stay the night be sure to pack for any variables. I recommend this to anyone who wants a relatively easy trail to get into backpacking.
GETTING THERE:
To get to this trail go west on I-80 from Truckee, Ca. After 17 miles take the Big Bend exit and turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the exit ramp. Follow that road 3/4 of a mile and the small parking lot will be on your right hand side. There is a bathroom there and the trailhead is directly across the street.
NOTES:
Pet friendly
Catch and release fishing (with fishing permit)
No camping permit required; however, a permit is required for campfires.
Leave No Trace
