Old Commonwealth Trail

Old Commonwealth Trail is a great hike throughout the year, although it shines in the summer months. If you come in shoulder season, download your map to guide you through snowy sections where the trail may become difficult to follow.

Begin at the PCT trailhead. The Old Commonwealth Trail splits off left from the PCT very quickly—take this. Stay right through two junctions and cross the creek. This first mile or so is quite flat and relaxed, but also deep in thick brush and potentially overgrown.

When you cross Commonwealth Creek, look for a bridge to use to cross and then return to the trail. Head northwest, you’ll merge onto Commonwealth Basin Trail. A handful of stream crossings lead you up to where you’ll begin to climb a bit more aggressively, hiking through very narrow switchbacks up to Red Pond.

Stay left at the junction around 4856ft and then right at the next (the path to the left just quickly takes you to the shore of the pond). The maintained section of the trail ends shortly after the pond. Here, turn around and retrace your steps to the trailhead.