Upper and Lower Twin Lakes Trail

This 8.8-mile out-and-back starts at the Summit Lake Ranger Station Trailhead, climbs over a ridge, then reaches Echo Lake, Upper Twin and Lower Twin before returning the same way. Allow about 4.5 to 5 hours; expect roughly 1,200 feet of climbing and a high point just over 7,100 feet. The open ridge is the main effort, while the lake sections are mostly forested. If you want a shorter outing, turn around at Echo Lake; the park lists that separate walk at 4 miles round trip, before either Twin Lake.

A short boardwalk crosses a wet meadow, then fir forest and the Summit Lake connector lead to the main route. From Summit Lake, the path climbs for about 1.2 miles through firs into open manzanita and scattered trees. Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags open to the west. The Bear Lakes Trail branches north along this climb; stay on the Echo Lake and Twin Lakes route. On a clear day, frame the peaks above the manzanita and sparse firs for the route’s broadest view.

Past the high point, the trail descends through fir forest to Echo Lake, whose shaded shore has green-blue water. It follows part of the lake edge, passes a small unnamed lake, and reaches Upper Twin. The route continues along the forested lake margins to Lower Twin, where it turns around; there is no need to continue toward the Pacific Crest Trail. Retrace the same lakes and ridge on the way back, including the climb out from the lake basin.

Parking at the Summit Lake Ranger Station Trailhead is limited. The walk is partly sun-exposed, and the route reaches high-elevation terrain where snowmelt and road access can vary; check current park conditions before setting out. The park warns that standing dead trees in the Dixie Fire-affected Echo Lake area can fall without warning. Pets are not permitted on park hiking trails, except service animals.