Warren Lake Trail to Frog Lake Cliffs

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · Views · Wildflowers

Castle Peak parking lot might be one of the busiest trailheads during summer peak season, but Warren Lake can often be one of the most secluded trails in all of Tahoe! Do this hike for wildflowers, more shade than Castle Peak Trail, and incredible views of Frog Lake!

This hike begins at the castle peak parking lot along hwy 80. Start going north on Castle Valley Road as if going toward the peak, but soon veer east onto the Donner Lake Rim Trail. About 3 miles in, a northern trail with a wooden sign showing it as Warren Lake Trail appears - take this uphill until an overlook offshoot at mile 4. This overlook provides incredible yet under-published views of Frog Lake and Tahoe Donner. Enjoy!

The entire route takes place on relatively mellow trails with soft pine and dirt surfaces, with only a few instances of hiking over granite slabs. Shade is plentiful the entire way aside from the last half mile, which is exposed to the sun a wildflower meadow rife with mules ears.

This route is an off-the-beaten-path classic largely because it offers solitude, incredible views, and varied trails without the typical traffic, even though it starts from one of the area's most popular trailheads.