Though short, hiking up Lovers Leap trail is one tough climb. You start to feel the pull almost immediately once stepping onto the trail, and it doesn’t stop until you make it almost to the top as you hike under thick pine most of the way. Following the trail takes you to the top of the end point, which is the highlight of the trail.
From the top of Lover’s Leap, you can see Pyramid Peak across Highway 50 and the surrounding mountains. Even in the summertime, some of the mountain tops can be covered in snow making for a wintery view in June. Looking over and down on the East Wall, you might see rock wall climbers.
Sometimes parts of the rock walls are closed due to nesting for the Peregrine Falcons, and in June, sometimes they can be seen in their nests or flying in and out of them.
Once you’ve made it to the top, just sit have a snack and take in the views. Going back down won’t take nearly as long as it did to climb up.
Directions: From Sacramento, take Highway 50 to Strawberry Creek Road. From there, follow the road about 6 tenths of a mile to a dirt road, National Forest Road 11N19. The trailhead is about 4 tenths of a mile from the turn on the National Forest Road.
This Skinny
Trail: Lover’s Leap Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 38.785283, -120.145185
Trailhead Elevation: 5880 Feet
Distance: 3.7 Miles – Out and Back
Level of Difficulty: 🟠
Scenery: 🟢🟢🟢🟢
Average Grade: 12.5%
Steepest Grade: 12.5%
Ascension: 1292 Feet
Nearest Town: Strawberry
Trail Condition: 🟢🟢🟢
Challenges: Summer Heat, Steep Climb
Trail Traffic: 🥾
Highlights: Scenery
Best Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
Hazards: Temperatures higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit
Wildlife Concerns: Bears, Mountain Lions
Would I Do This Hike Again?: Possibly
Parking: Free
Restrooms: None