Lake Tahoe, CA: Donner Pass to Tinker Knob
This challenging 10.4-miler climbs past lowland scrubs, a wildfire zone, and several campsites to a tall pine forest in Los Padres National Forest.
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Mapped by Jack Haskel
Trail Facts
- Distance: 10.8
Waypoints
PCT001
Location: 39.3168487548828, -120.325965881348
Head S on Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
PCT002
Location: 39.3148002624512, -120.326881408691
Cross a paved road
PCT003
Location: 39.3060989379883, -120.322868347168
Continue S. Optional: Turn L for 2-mi. trip to Mt. Judah (8,243 ft.). Top-of-the-world views of surrounding lakes and peaks
PCT004
Location: 39.30419921875, -120.322334289551
Cross dirt service road; trail traverses across Sugar Bowl ski slopes
PCT005
Location: 39.2944183349609, -120.321029663086
Straight @ 3-way. Signs describe how the infamous Donner Party winched their heavy wagons up Roller Pass
PCT006
Location: 39.2886505126953, -120.323532104492
Cross creeklet just below Mt. Lincoln summit. Purple trumpets and spotted orange lilies dot the alpine meadows and granite depressions
PCT007
Location: 39.2612838745117, -120.297897338867
Keep straight @ 3 way. Campers: Turn L on spur trail to Old Benson Ski Hut, where several level campsites are located. Next day, leave big packs and dayhike S on PCT for a 3.4-mi. out-and-back to Tinker Knob
PCT008
Location: 39.2512817382812, -120.287773132324
Climb ridge connecting Anderson Pk. and Tinker Knob
PCT009
Location: 39.24658203125, -120.284843444824
At mile 6.5, leave trail and climb 200 ft. to summit
PCT010
Location: 39.2448043823242, -120.284889221191
Tinker Knob: An impressive 360-degree panorama includes Mt. Rose looming over Lake Tahoe and Royal Gorge. Retrace route back to trailhead
