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Upper Gardner Meadow Trail
Expansive meadow, views, Half-Moon Lake (a marshy pond). May be cattle grazing.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Calaveras Ranger District (Hwy 4) |
|---|---|
| Permit Info: | A wilderness permit is required for overnight visits to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. |
| Usage: | Light-Medium |
| Best Season: | Summer, early fall |
| Busiest Season: | Summer |
| Closest Towns: | Bear Valley to the west, Markleeville to the east. |
| Water: | In summer season at Highland Lakes Campground (.8 mile) (hand pump) |
| Restroom: | Vault toilet at Highland Lakes Campground (.8 mile) |
| Operated By: | US Forest Service |
General Information
Directions:Trail is accessed via Gardner Meadow Trailhead: From the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines, California, head east on Highway 4 for about 46 miles. Turn right when you see the sign for Highlands Lakes; follow that road (Highland Lakes Road-8N01) for about 5 miles until just before you reach the first lake. Bear to the left and follow the road a short distance to the parking.
Accessible to all highway-legal vehicle types. Highland Lakes Road is paved for the first mile, then becomes a gravel road to the trailhead. Large parking area, native surface. The road may be rough in some spots.
See the Gardner Meadow Trailhead page for a map.
General Notes:
Start at the Gardner Meadow Trailhead at Highland Lakes. The trail enters the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness in .8 mile. Just past the wilderness boundary sign the trail forks; take the right fork (it may be hidden by a log) (the left fork goes to Lower Gardner Meadow). The trail continues as trail 20E03 for .8 mile; from there it forks: the left fork is the Disaster Creek Trail, a continuation of 20E03; the right fork is the Arnot Creek Trail (20E05).