Frog Lake Hike

Trip Date: 06/19/2025

Distance: 2 Miles

Vertical Gain: 700'

Group Size: 1

Hike Rating: Easy Moderate Hard Strenuous

GPX for this trip

Start Coordinates:	N 38 41.697 W 119 59.363	End Coordinates:	Same as Start Coordinates
Car Shuttle Req'd:	No	Parking Directions:	Take Highway 88 to the parking area at the Carson Pass information station on the west side of the road. Pay the day use fee (summer only) and find the trailhead just to the right side (north) of the information station itself.
Hazards of Note:	Be aware of very changeable weather in this area during any season. Route-finding during the winter months. Prepare for various temperatures, rain and snow.	Crowd Factor:	High. This is a very popular trail, especially in the summer for hiking and wildflower viewing. The trail follows the Pacific Crest Trail for the entire time until you reach the turnoff to Frog Lake itself.
From the parking area on the road, head past the Carson Pass information station building and along the along the Pacific Crest Trail. For the mile to the signed junction on the trail for Frog Lake to east side of the trail, you will have terrific views to the west of Round Top Mountain and the Sisters just to the right of this 10K foot peak. Once you reach the Frog Lake junction, head left (east) and walk the short distance down to the west side of the lake. There is a use trail that follows along the south side of the lake. Follow this to the west end of the lake for a spectacular look at Hope Valley in the distance and the Freel/Job's Sister mountain range to the north east of this viewpoint. You can return the same way or continue to circumnavigate the lake and pick up the trail back where you first accessed the lake from the Pacific Crest Trail junction.

The Carson Pass Information Station is at the parking area for this hike and is where you will head out for this trek.

Just about 1/3 of a mile from the start is the official entrance into the Mokelumne Wilderness. This sign often is almost or completely buried in the snow during the heavy snow winters common at this location and elevation.

If you look closely off to the right (south) side of the hike past the wilderness boundary you will find a very unique tree formation.

Reaching Frog Lake there is a beach that is a nice place for dogs to enjoy the water, and it is also a popular spot for PCT hikers to take a break and clean up after a long climb this location from the south.

A short walk along the south shore of Frog Lake will allow you to reach the scenic eastern edge of the lake. Looking back to the west is a view of Round Top Peak behind the lake itself, and often there is a specacular display of wildflowers. On this day the wild Iris blooms were abundant and filled the area with color.

Just past the eastern end of the lake is a view down to Red Lake below, with Hope Valley in the distance. Further on behind Hope Valley is Freel Peak, Job's Sister and Job's Peaks, all situated to the southeast of Lake Tahoe.

The GPS track of the trail from Carson Pass to Frog Lake (and back.)