Chittenden Lake Hike
Chittenden Lake Hike Map

Chittenden Lake Hike

Sierra National Forest
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Chittenden Lake Hike

Chittenden Lake Hike

Distance: 14.6mi
Elevation: 3,251ft
Time: 7-9.5h

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The Chittenden Lake Hike exhibits the beauty and grandeur of the High Sierra. Explore mixed pine forests, meadowlands, granite gardens, and crystalline alpine lakes. If you seek a scenic high effort, high reward type of adventure, then you have come to the right place.

Chittenden Lake Hike Map

Getting there

Access the Chittenden Lake Hike from the trailhead off Route 5S05.

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About

Backcountry Campground

Backcountry Camping, wilderness permit required.

When to do

May-October

Pets allowed

Yes - On Leash

Family friendly

Yes

Route Signage

Poor

Crowd Levels

Low

Route Type

Out and back


Chittenden Lake Hike
Elevation Graph


Chittenden Lake Hike Description

Immerse yourself in the high country along the Chittenden Lake Hike. Venture through glaciated valleys, mixed forestlands, and granite gardens up to the shimmering alpine lake. There is no shortage of scenery to motivate even the most discouraged hikers along this route. Though this route can be completed as a challenging day hike, it makes for an epic overnight expedition through the backcountry. This path is not well signposted in areas, so we encourage the use of the trail GPS. Note those staying overnight will have to acquire a wilderness permit.

Setting out from the Fernandez trailhead, hike northwest. Shortly after you depart from the trailhead, you’ll reach a junction; keep right here. This path will guide you over several snow-melt streams before delivering you to yet another intersection. Again, keep right onto Trail 24E3, which will guide you northeast through the alpine terrain. At the next intersection, turn left onto the Lilian Lake Trail. This route will divert you west to Lilian Lake then onto Chittenden Lake.

You will be granted an amazing view of the postcard-worthy lake hemmed by granite bluffs, decorated with evergreens. Rejuvenate your tired feet in the chilly alpine waters, and when you are ready, head back along the path the way you came.

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