Twin Ponds Trail #993

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming

This is another lesser-used way to reach the PCT and Fourmile Lake from the west. The Twin Ponds Trailhead is at the end of Forest Road 3760. The parking area is big enough for several small cars, but there are no amenities. At 0.75 miles from the trailhead, you pass between the Twin Ponds and enter the Sky Lakes Wilderness. At about 1.3 miles, you reach and start to follow Fourbit Creek. At 2.8 miles you reach Summit Lake, where the trail almost levels out, and at 3.1 miles you reach the PCT intersection. Here you can go north or south, or you can go across (east) the PCT for 2.5 miles to the trailhead at Fourmile Lake.

The Twin Ponds Trail follows the route of the old Rancheria Trail, a Native American travel route. In 1863, it was widened and used as a military wagon road between Jacksonville and Fort Klamath. This portion of the Rancheria Trail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; many segments of the old wagon route are visible to the discerning eye along the Twin Ponds Trail.

Bald eagles can often be seen in season at Summit Lake.