Long Lake Loop Trail is a 4.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Clio, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Fun & scenic hike! Enjoyed all of the different views of Long Lake. We took the loop clockwise. On the west side of the lake the trail takes you across a very rocky trail of boulders & medium sized rocks and you are going downhill, so it is challenging! You will definitely need hiking boots!!
Lovely hike. Would recommend hiking in AllTrails’ counterclockwise direction as trail ascending along Long Lake towards high point is a large rock boulder scramble much easier to negotiate ascending than descending. I would not recommend trail for those with bad knees as there are several large boulder “stairs” to climb. Though my knees are fine, glad I brought two hiking poles and sturdy boots. Lots of Green-tailed Towhees seen and heard at trail high point. Once high point passed, trail becomes hard dirt covered by a thin layer of small rocks easily negotiated. All creek crossings easy. Though trail path is well defined, some junctions are not. AllTrails Recorder mode helped me make the correct choice. Had trail all to myself until approaching Mud and Silver lakes.
Still a little too early (May 29) to make it all the way around. Lots of snow, I lost the trail more than a few times, due to snow. Took waaay longer than I’d hoped for (again, because it was too early in the season). In approx 5.3 miles, I logged over 15,000 steps. I typically walk 10,000 steps in that same mileage.
We went in April and it was full of snow. I guess we should have waited a little bit. But it was good one.
Beautiful trail. Well maintained. I took my 6 year old daughter and she managed okay. There were a few parts that were a bit too much uphill and tiring for her, but we managed. There's a picture-esque photo at just about every turn. We stayed in a tent at Lakes Basin CG, and it was better than I could have ever anticipated.
Great during August. Tried it end of May early June and was completely washed out. Closer to 5.7 to parking lot!
Awesome hike with great views. Did the trail in late June and there was still quite a bit of snow on the north facing slopes, however it was passable with just hiking boots. Probably would have been a bit easier with trekking poles. We did the loop counterclockwise and the only problem we encountered was at the east end of the lake at the dam/spillway. Winds were sustained at 30mph with gusts to 40 which was pushing a lot of water over the spillway, creating a river that was impassable with out getting wet.
This is a beautiful loop hike but I agree with others here that have noted that the listed distance of 4.5 miles is incorrect. Our route tracker had it closer to 6 miles and we didn’t stray much from the inner loop trail option. That said this is a great hike and the fall colors, patchy clouds, dramatic views, and migrating flocks of geese high above were glorious - just be ready for something more like 5.5 - 6 miles.
One of our favorite hikes with many variations available to add on. There is an off shoot above Long Lake that will take you to the top of Mt Elwell for great distant views. Near the end you can turn right and extend the loop taking you by Silver Lake, Big Bear, Little Bear Lake and Cub Lake. It is probably the most common route explaining the difference in distance some have mentioned. Best time is late spring early summer for an abundance of wild flowers or late fall for some fall colors. We usually do this several times a year.