Name: Summit Lake Trail
Rating: 3.0

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Features Lake · Swimming · Wildflowers

Unattended parking is not permitted at the Interstate 80 rest areas. Instead park at the Donner Summit Parking Area south of the highway. Follow the PCT Access Trail and turn left on PCT: Echo Lake to Highway 80 (Donner Summit) and then follow PCT: Highway 80 to Highway 49 (near Sierra City) under the highway and to the start of the Summit Lake Trail.

Description

The Summit Lake Trail heads east from an intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail ( PCT: Highway 80 to Highway 49 (near Sierra City)). The steepest part of this gradual trail is encountered almost immediately after the trail's start off the PCT.

From there it follows the gradual contours of the slope. There are two small creek crossings, separated by a low granite ridge. Past this point the trail wanders through a beautiful meadow that produces plenty of wildflowers from spring to late-summer.

Just past three-quarters of a mile the Warren Lake Trail intersects to the north. Up ahead, a bald ridge ushers hikers into an attractive forest and soon to the south corner of Summit Lake.

Camping is available around the lake.