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Rubicon Peak

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.9 (14)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. Lake Tahoe
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“A semi-secret trail leading to a rocky peak with stunning views. ”

Nick Wilder
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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.9

KM

Out and Back

9,019' 2,749 m

High

6,932' 2,113 m

Low

2,087' 636 m

Up

2,085' 636 m

Down

22%

Avg Grade (12°)

45%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views

Family Friendly This route is short enough for most kids, with really fun rock scrambling on top.

Overview

This trail doesn't seem to make many guidebooks, and it's not to be confused with the lakeside Rubicon Trail, but this gem is a great way to beat the crowds to an amazing summit overlooking the lake.

Need to Know

You're starting in a residential neighborhood. Be considerate of parking.

Description

After wiggling your way through the neighborhood and finding a parking spot at the end of the Highview Drive, continue on a dirt road for a couple hundred feet until this trail becomes singletrack. Pleasant, easy hiking in a dense forest leads to a bit of a saddle point, where you get nice views to the south and bits of the lake.

Soon after, the trail gets rockier, and you emerge from the trees. The trail gets hard to find as you enter a large area of talus. There are many cairns, but they seem to be all over the place. Find your path of least resistance and keep chugging along straight up to the summit. Do some fun scrambling up to the final rocky outcrop and enjoy huge views of all of Lake Tahoe.

Once you've taken it all in, carefully make your way back through the talus slope to return to your car.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Office

Shared By:

Nick Wilder
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 14 votes

#2

in Lake Tahoe

#543

Overall
  4.9 from 14 votes
5 Star
93%
4 Star
7%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Lake Tahoe

#86

in California

#543

Overall
15 Views Last Month
13,885 Since Aug 17, 2016
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
6%
12%
71%
12%
Add a Photo

Photos

The summit of Rubicon Peak offers phenomenal views out over Lake Tahoe!
Feb 16, 2017 near Tahoma, CA
Rubicon Point periodically peeks through the trees on your way up the trail.
Feb 16, 2017 near Tahoma, CA
Looking at Stony Ridge Lake and the Desolation Wilderness from the top of Rubicon Peak
Aug 18, 2016 near Tahoma, CA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Dec 4, 2023
Mike Sanders
Nov 14, 2021
Josiah Cabezud
2100 ft elevation gain hard going getting to the peak in tennis shoes in the snow. but now i know better. terrific view at the top. only saw 4 peop… 3.5mi — 2h 30m
Jul 31, 2020
Sho Kawano
1. On the way down, it is easy to get lost. Be careful. 2. Pack lots of water! 3. Especially if you're with beginner hikers, budget 3-4 hours 3.8mi
Jun 28, 2020
Sergiy Cherepov
first, it's 5.6miles, not 3.9 this is misleading. second it's good lack trail, no joke here, take plenty of water. third, family notes: good for m… 5.6mi
Jun 28, 2020
Jesus Bayo
Oct 8, 2019
Devin Pinckard
Sep 9, 2019
Kiko Giraldo
Sep 15, 2018
Sarah Dishman

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