| About Tahoe National Forest |
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| Chimney Rock Trail |
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Difficulty:
Moderate
Length, One-way:
4 Miles
Beginning Elevation:
6,400 Feet
Ending Elevation:
6,800 Feet
Elevation Gain:
400 Feet
Reservation:
No
Season:
June - October
From Downieville, Travel approximately 0.2 miles west on Hwy. #49 and turn right on the dirt road. This is the Saddleback Road. Continue on this road for approximately 8 miles until you reach a five-way intersection. Head straight though the intersection onto road 35-23-1. After another 0.3 miles you will reach a "Y" intersection. Once again head straight through. Approximately one more mile down the road you will bear right onto road 25-23-1-2. This road is posted "Dead End-Road Not Maintained." Continue on this road approximately 0.6 miles and head straight through another intersection. About 100 yards farther there is an obscure road which bears slightly left (this is the Poker Flat OHV Trail). Keep to the right and continue for approximately 1 mile to a turnout at the base of Bunker Hill. Two wheel-drive vehicles should park here and hike the last 0.6 miles down this road to the trailhead. Four wheel-drive vehicles may choose to drive this last section.The access road from Downieville to the trailhead is a total length of 13 miles. There are some rough sections with moderate traffic. Extra caution while driving is recommended.
Location Information
Chimney Rock Trail is a moderately difficult 4 mile trail with an elevation of 6,400 feet. This trail climbs moderately for one mile, reaching Chimney Rock at an elevation of 6,700 feet. Chimney Rock is a huge volcanic rock, 12 feet in diameter at its base, rising straight up for approximately 25 feet. At this point, with the splendid 360 degrees vista, there is no need to try to climb to the top of the rock for a better view. The trail continues eastward, descending under a lightly forested canopy. It then starts to climb again around Needle Point and Rattlesnake Peak until it reaches the end of Empire Creek Trail. Hikers who can arrange transportation may wish to descend the 2.5 miles into lovely Empire Creek Canyon instead of having to retrace their path to the Chimney Rock Trailhead. They can then be picked up at the Empire Creek Trailhead.
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