Off-trail to Upper Davis Lake

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

No campfires are allowed.

If you have made it to lower Davis Lake, you should definitely hike the length of the east shore. The gorgeous, flower-covered meadows are a place to linger as long as you can. There is no trail, but it is easy; so just choose your own route. To get to upper Davis Lake, there is a 30-foot-tall rock that you have to hike around near the south end of the lake. On the other side, drop immediately back to the lake and cross the stream coming down from the melting snow.

From there, it is only 0.3 miles and a 300-foot elevation gain to reach the upper lake. Look at the low point in the ridge directly in front of you (west). There is a slope with low bushes that climbs most of the way. Just to the right of that, there is a more grassy, flower-covered slope. Take the grassy slope. It is steep, but, if you choose the right route, is not at all dangerous. Near the top, you'll need to wind your way a little among the rocks on the right, but stay fairly close to the low notch. The rocks are more rugged if you stray too far to the right (north). You'll arrive at a point about 20-30 feet above the lake, with an easy hike down.

There are only a few good campsites here near the outlet, but you'll probably have the lake to yourself. On the south side, a large (for the Sierras) glacier drops down directly into the lake from the top of the ridge.