Deadwood Peak in Eldorado National Forest, CA

Hike Deadwood Peak Eldorado National Forest, CA

Class 1 9.8 miles 2300 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Aug 11, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Deadwood Peak GPX Track

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Deadwood Peak is a large lump in the Mokelumne Wilderness, positioned at a bend in Summit City Creek. It offers a really nice perspective of the surrounding summits, including Round Top to the north. The summit is most easily approached via the Grouse Lake Trail. We parked at the trailhead on the east side of Upper Blue Lake, where we could see Deadwood Peak rising to the west. This is a popular recreation area with multiple campgrounds, and is accessible by any vehicle.

We started by crossing the dam and locating the start of the Grouse Lake Trail. The trail begins in a forested area, with large boulders sporadically jutting out of the sandy ground, passes a charming little pond, and then gradually ascends through small meadows to Granite Lake. Quite blue and positioned at the base of a granitic slope, it's a scenic spot. After passing Granite Lake, the Grouse Lake Trail ascends a gentle ridge before dipping in and out of small, meadowy valleys with sparse trees. The trail meanders a bit, barely gaining elevation, until it changes character drastically, ascending a couple of steep slopes. We found these sections odd since the trail had otherwise taken its sweet time.

Deadwood Peak was clearly in view ahead, but the Grouse Lake Trail wraps beneath the south side of the summit. When we reached the high point of the trail, where it leveled off at around 9,200 feet, we headed off-trail north up a grassy slope and into a wide gully that led to Deadwood Peak's east ridge. A social trail became visible along the crest and led us to the summit. There is a short rocky section along the crest, but it’s otherwise just a tundra stroll. The views were fantastic, especially of the granite formation just north of the summit with its sheer drop into the valley below.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Deadwood Peak
9844 ft
1357 rise

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Passing over the dam on the east side of Upper Blue Lake. Deadwood Peak seen on the right.
Passing over the dam on the east side of Upper Blue Lake. Deadwood Peak seen on the right.
The Grouse Lake Trail ascends gradually through the forest.
The Grouse Lake Trail ascends gradually through the forest.
Deadwood Peak seen ahead.
Deadwood Peak seen ahead.
Entering the Mokelumne Wilderness.
Entering the Mokelumne Wilderness.
Passing a cute little pond.
Passing a cute little pond.
View back along the Grouse Lake Trail.
View back along the Grouse Lake Trail.
Meadows along the Grouse Lake Trail.
Meadows along the Grouse Lake Trail.
Granite Lake.
Granite Lake.
Wildflowers and pretty Granite slopes near Granite Lake.
Wildflowers and pretty Granite slopes near Granite Lake.
View back at Granite Lake.
View back at Granite Lake.
Onward through sparsely-forested terrain.
Onward through sparsely-forested terrain.
Deadwood Peak seen ahead, but the trail navigates around the granite lumps seen ahead.
Deadwood Peak seen ahead, but the trail navigates around the granite lumps seen ahead.
View back, Meadow Lake seen below.
View back, Meadow Lake seen below.
View back along the trail.
View back along the trail.
Meadows and granite, pretty scenery along the Grouse Lake Trail.
Meadows and granite, pretty scenery along the Grouse Lake Trail.
View back as we near the base of Deadwood Peak.
View back as we near the base of Deadwood Peak.
One of a few steep sections of trail ahead.
One of a few steep sections of trail ahead.
Approaching the high point of the Grouse Lake Trail, where we left the trail. We headed up to the gully seen above Chris.
Approaching the high point of the Grouse Lake Trail, where we left the trail. We headed up to the gully seen above Chris.
Tundra walk up the gully.
Tundra walk up the gully.
View back down the gully toward the Grouse Lake Trail.
View back down the gully toward the Grouse Lake Trail.
Ascending to the east ridge of Deadwood Peak.
Ascending to the east ridge of Deadwood Peak.
View back along the way up to Deadwood Peak.
View back along the way up to Deadwood Peak.
Wider shot looking back, Upper Blue Lake seen left.
Wider shot looking back, Upper Blue Lake seen left.
Deadwood Peak just ahead.
Deadwood Peak just ahead.
Deadwood Peak summit, view east.
Deadwood Peak summit, view east.
Deadwood Peak summit, view north.
Deadwood Peak summit, view north.
Deadwood Peak summit, view west toward Grouse Lake.
Deadwood Peak summit, view west toward Grouse Lake.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!