Parking
Start at Shake Camp in Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, where Long Meadow Trail begins. Parking capacity, fees, and overflow details were not confirmed.
Overview
About Long Meadow Trail to Summit Lake
Why go
- Alpine lake, meadow stretches, and upper canyon views
Heads up
- A steep, rocky climb is followed by a long return
- River crossings can be hazardous at high water
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Sequoia map
Full mapElevation6,506–9,439 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Sequoia alerts
- CautionStage 1 fire restrictionsStage 1 fire restrictions are in effect due to high fire danger and catastrophic-wildfire risk; the restrictions reduce the possibility of accidental human-caused fires that could threaten visitors…Official details
- ClosureGrant Grove trails and areas closed for prescribed burnSome trails and areas around Grant Grove and the General Grant Tree are closed for safety during a prescribed burn and until they are cleared of hazards.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Sequoia Tour Guide
Your drive to Long Meadow Trail to Summit Lake, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Sequoia National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Sequoia audio tour- 71 audio storiesacross Sequoia’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 99 trails, 68 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…The kids and my husband and I all agree that the narration really added to our experience driving through the parks. We learned so much about the history and the flora & fauna.”
Trail guide
Hiking Long Meadow Trail to Summit Lake
Is this the outing you want?Long Meadow Trail to Summit Lake is a backcountry out-and-back from Shake Camp to an alpine…
Long Meadow Trail to Summit Lake is a backcountry out-and-back from Shake Camp to an alpine lake inside Sequoia. Plan on about 15.2 miles round trip, or 7.6 miles each way to the lake. A 7.2-mile figure ends at the Forest Boundary, short of the lake. The upper climb is steep and rocky, and the published estimate is 6–8 hours just to reach the lake. Choose it for a remote lake and canyon scenery, not a quick trail stop; turning around the same day makes this a very long hike.
Along the riverThe approach follows the Tule River and crosses it several times before reaching a junction…
The approach follows the Tule River and crosses it several times before reaching a junction with Touhy Gap Trail. From there the route turns uphill toward the lake. The trail report describes shaded lower stretches, canyon-side meadows, and wildflowers, but the exact footing and cover may have changed since that account.
The climb and the viewsBeyond the junction, expect a sustained climb on rocky tread and many switchbacks.
Beyond the junction, expect a sustained climb on rocky tread and many switchbacks. The upper route opens toward Sheep Mountain, the river canyon, and the North Fork Middle Fork Tule River drainage. Summit Lake sits just inside the park, a few hundred feet beyond the Golden Trout Wilderness boundary.
Plan for the backcountryStart at Shake Camp in Mountain Home State Forest.
Start at Shake Camp in Mountain Home State Forest. Several river crossings can be hazardous when water is high or fast, and there is a long, steep return after the lake. Overnight stays in Golden Trout Wilderness require a wilderness permit; use bear-resistant food storage. Pets are prohibited on park trails, and this route enters the park, so leave pets behind.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Sequoia
691 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
17 sightingsMountain LionMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
18 sightingsBobcatMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
24 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
15 sightingsGolden EagleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
20 sightingsSpotted OwlMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Sequoia. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
