• Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip
  • Elevation gain: 95 ft
  • Maximum elevation: 6680 ft
  • Difficulty: Easy walk
  • Start: Trailhead at end of Kidd Lake Rd
  • Activities: Hike, swim, rope swing, zipline

On a hot summer weekend this short easy hike will take you to Long Lake (39°17’36.93″N, 120°25’58.74″W), a beautiful swimming lake. The only downside is that this is a very popular spot and on one of those busy summer weekends it may be hard to find a resting spot. Many people, especially families,  do this hike as very easy backpack and spend the night. This hike requires a bit of a drive out on Kidd Lake Rd. The road is not paved, but is in good shape when it is dry. Early in the spring and summer there can be a lot of water on the road and some muddy sections. Having high ground clearance and 4 wheel drive is not a necessity except in the wettest times of the year.

The hike is short and easy through a Sierras conifer forest. It starts from the parking area at the end of Kidd Lake Rd which is accessed from Pahatsi Road in Serene Lakes. Proced down the trail and across the PG&E dam into the forest. The trail is well maintained and there are no difficult climbs and/or descents to worry about. There is one side trail that is clearly marked. Continue straight at the marked side trail. Once at the lake, it is an easy walk along the east side to many spots on rocks overlooking the lake. There is a rope swing about halfway along the lake. The water is usually quite refreshing in July – September. At the far south end of the lake there is a cable across the lake with a zipline pulley on it. Riding the zipline into the lake is an exhilarating experience, but if you try it, you will be doing it AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Download: KML file — PDF file

Slideshow

Elevation Profile – one way

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