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Silver Lake 🐟 – North Silver Lake loop from Pollock Pines

Silver Lake 🐟 – North Silver Lake loop from Pollock Pines

Hard

3.5

(17)

riders

Silver Lake 🐟 – North Silver Lake loop from Pollock Pines

07:05

130km

2,700m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 30, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Eldorado National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

9.60 km

Mormon Emigrant Trail Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

The Mormon Emigrant Trail in California is a long and scenic road biking route on a paved forest road. While not one continuous steep ascent, it's a "roller coaster" with many uphill sections, offering a significant accumulated climb of around 4,500 feet over nearly 24 miles towards the higher elevations before connecting with Highway 88, with an average grade around 3-4% but steeper pitches mixed in. As you ride through the beautiful Eldorado National Forest, the scenery is typical of the Sierra Nevada, with pine and cedar forests and occasional expansive vistas. Be prepared for the trail's length and remote nature, and note that the road is subject to seasonal closures due to snow in the winter months.

Tip by

56.2 km

Silver Lake overlook at Plasse Rd turnoff

Highlight • Viewpoint

A good overlook of Silver Lake and its islands opens up at the access to the South end, from the Hwy 88 / Plasse Rd turnoff

Tip by

58.8 km

Silver Lake 🐟

Highlight • Lake

Silver Lake is a stunning alpine lake on Carson Pass Highway (SR 88). Situated along one of the historic immigrant trails to California across the Sierra Nevada used by many settlers and gold miners since the 1840s, soon residents of the central valley flocked to the mild climates of the mountains in the summer, often setting up tent camps that stood for months. Many of the lodges and camps at Silver Lake were established in the 1920s, while Plasse's dates back to 1853.

Several of the old resorts still operate today, offering modernized accommodations and countless amenities.
Anglers, hikers, photographers, artists, birdwatchers, and nature lovers enjoy exploring the lake and its surrounding countryside. A modern launch ramp makes boating easy.
carsonpass.com/places/silver_lake.html

For a loop around the whole lake, more highlights and annotated photos check out komoot.de/tour/10217886

Tip by

59.9 km

North Silver Lake

Highlight • Lake

Near Lodge but totally quiet

Tip by

60.6 km

Silver Lake North Beach

Highlight • Beach

The shore is accessible from several granite rock outcrops on the north side of Silver Lake. In summer a colorful layer of Pine pollen dust can wash up along the beach

Tip by

65.9 km

Thunder Head mountain views

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Thunder Mountain Trailhead on CA88 treats visitors to awe-inspiring vistas. From this vantage point, panoramic views of rugged mountainous terrain and alpine forests unfold. The scenery, encompassing the Carson Range, captivates with its natural beauty.

Tip by

121 km

Jenkinson Lake

Highlight • Lake

Jenkinson Lake consists of two parts, the upper and lower lake. The lower lake is the largest, about eight times the size of the upper. The lake is known for recreational activities such as boating, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking/biking. The lake was named after famous bullfighter, Robert Jenkins.

Tip by

130 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

96.1 km

32.0 km

1.85 km

Surfaces

128 km

2.36 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (2,430 m)

Lowest point (1,050 m)

Weather

Today

Friday 10 July

31°C

19°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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Silver Lake 🐟 – North Silver Lake loop from Pollock Pines

Mormon Emigrant Trail Climb

Silver Lake overlook at Plasse Rd turnoff

Silver Lake 🐟

North Silver Lake

Silver Lake North Beach

Thunder Head mountain views

Jenkinson Lake

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