Castle Peak, Tahoe National Forest CA

• 5-star hike
• 5 mile out-and-back
• Moderate & Hard | Gain 1,670 ft | Peak 9,103 ft
• Donner Summit, CA | Lake Tahoe
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The image shows a snowy mountain landscape with a dense forest of snow-covered evergreen trees in the foreground. The mountain in the background is also covered in snow, with rocky outcrops visible through the snow. The sky above is partly cloudy, with some areas of blue sky peeking through.

The image shows a snowy mountain landscape with a dense forest of snow-covered evergreen trees in the foreground. The mountain in the background is also covered in snow, with rocky outcrops visible through the snow. The sky above is partly cloudy, with some areas of blue sky peeking through.

Castle Peak offers an accessible yet challenging hiking experience in the northern Sierra Nevada, just minutes from Interstate 80 near Donner Summit. While known for winter snowshoeing, this trail transforms into an excellent warm-weather hike once the snow retreats, typically from mid-June through October. The trailhead is conveniently located at the Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge exit off I-80, with parking available on the north side of the freeway. During summer, no special permits are required, though winter access necessitates a Sno-Park permit.

The trail begins with a gradual incline through forest, serving as an effective warm-up for the more demanding sections ahead. The interstate noise quickly fades as the path winds through pine and fir stands. After about 1.5 miles, the trail emerges onto more open terrain along the Andesite Ridge, offering initial views of the surrounding landscape.

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⬤ 5★ Castle Peak Trail 5.4 mi out & back, moderate & hard, gain 1,670 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

P Free parking

In summer, the forest sections provide welcome shade while wildflowers dot the open areas, particularly in July when lupine, paintbrush, and alpine asters create colorful displays. The trail surface consists primarily of packed dirt and rocky sections with occasional loose gravel.

The final mile presents the most significant challenge, as the path steepens considerably on approach to the summit. This section involves some light scrambling over weathered volcanic rock. The steepness that makes winter ascents so difficult becomes more manageable without snow, though hikers should still use caution on the exposed sections.

The summit provides panoramic views that justify the effort. On clear days, hikers can see Donner Lake, the northern Lake Tahoe basin, and numerous Sierra peaks stretching south. The multi-peaked summit area offers several protected spots to rest and refuel before the descent.

The image shows a snowy landscape with a person walking through deep snow. The scene is dominated by tall, snow-covered evergreen trees, creating a winter wonderland atmosphere. The sky is overcast, adding to the cold and serene ambiance. The person is following a path that has been made through the snow, which curves slightly as it leads into the forest.

The image shows a snowy landscape with a person walking through deep snow. The scene is dominated by tall, snow-covered evergreen trees, creating a winter wonderland atmosphere. The sky is overcast, adding to the cold and serene ambiance. The person is following a path that has been made through the snow, which curves slightly as it leads into the forest.

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