Leavitt Lake

Total Miles 2.8
Technical Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time Summer, Fall
Trail Type Full-Width Road
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

Leavitt Lake is a beautiful and scenic out-and-back trail on top of Sonora Pass/Highway 108. This trail follows Leavitt Creek and takes you up the canyon with incredible views all around. The trail does have some tricky and washed-out areas as well as three creek crossings. The wildlife and nature of this trail is one of a kind. There are lots of camping areas on the trail and at the lake for you and your group. Be prepared for strong winds at times; it's usually fifty-fifty on the weather even during the summer. Hiking is plentiful in the area as there are other lakes and wilderness areas nearby as well as the Pacific Crest Trail. Be sure to stay on the main road as there are areas that are closed to motorized travel, and pack in/pack out.

Photos of Leavitt Lake

Difficulty

This trail does have deep ruts in some spots as well as large rocks that smaller vehicles might have to drive methodically through. An experienced driver should have no problem. Full-sized trucks with campers on the back have been seen at the lake as well as sprinter vans and similar vehicles, as well as smaller SUVs and pickups. There is a possibility for snow drifts throughout the season as well as fallen trees.

Technical Rating

4

Status Reports

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Evan M
Oct 31, 2025
Open
Gate closed at locked at head of forest road. No access except on foot.
Disco Overlander
Oct 10, 2025
Open
lots of ruts. lots of holes but nothing over 18 in. couple water crossings again under 18 in. Trail could be harder this spring or when wet
Terry Tucker
Oct 08, 2025
Open
Thos trail is only 3 miles from the main road to the lake, HOWEVER, after the first water crossing its very rocky and you definitely need a spotter if you are not high clearance. You can camp right on the lake, but with winds averaging 20-30 knots, my suggestion is to pick a spot back in the trees along Leavitt Creek. If you are not familiar with Alpine weather, just know that you can get gale winds without warning and the wind direction varies. Beautiful spot, lots of great hiking, but pack warm clothes and be hyper vigilant of the weather. We had watched the weather but at midnight we got gale winds without warning. Make sure your camp site is well staked in should you decide to camp on the lake,
Carlo M
Sep 26, 2025
Open
Trail was a bit wet, multiple water holes and puddles from recent rain. Short trail, about 40 minutes to finish. A couple boulder areas that need high clearance 4x4 or 4x4 with good lines. Used 4lo to help with trans temp and braking. Beautiful ride, take your time and enjoy. Some hikers and horses coming through so please watch for them. Leaves are turning making for great scenery. Lake is amazing with a lot of fish, fairly busy.
Jessie Guerrero
Sep 14, 2025
Open
Majority of the trail is easy. however, several difficult areas with deep ruts, washouts, and boulders makes you plan your path even with good clearance. Trail is bumpy withe several low water crossings. Trail is short, take your time in the difficult areas, but well worth the trip to experience the pristine lake surrounded by mountains.
Marvin Escobar
Sep 13, 2025
Open
Omar See
Aug 30, 2025
Open
Pretty easy bumpy trail a tricky area. A bone stock Subaru made it up the trail.
Navkaran Sandhu
Aug 30, 2025
Open
Beautiful road to the lake. Technical parts here and there nothing too hard if you have good clearance. Setting up camp on the lake was the best part. Find a good spot and relax. This is the second time we camped here.
Jose Monte
Aug 29, 2025
Open
Due to recent thunderstorms and downpours the trail has settled and become less difficult to maneuver. No dust at all. A stock Subaru Forester was able to make it up with our group. Lakeside was packed with holiday campers. All kinds of illegal fires going despite fire restrictions. People were blasting music and singing karaoke which could be heard from across the lake. Forest rangers were on their way up in multiple UTVs to enforce regulations.
Derrick D
Aug 08, 2025
Open
Weather was great, not windy for us. We camped in the trees to avoid gusts. Trail was mostly a 2-3, but 2 spots were closer to a 5 or 6 because of clearance, ruts, and off-camber. Had to spot through. See last picture with unicycle guy for reference.
Joe Decker
Aug 02, 2025
Open
Trail conditions were good. Most of the trail is easy with one difficult part. Saw a few Sprinter vans make the trip just fine.
Craig @TheOverlandingPhotographer
Jul 30, 2025
Open
After the 1st water crossing the trail got a little harder and I questioned whether to turn round (new to this) - think larger and loose rocks with off camber - heading to the lake was worse than heading back out. I passed a rig towing a trailer and there was someone at the lake with a trailer too so guess it can’t be too bad - defo the first 3 rating where I’ve had to think about my lines a little and a couple of spots edge closer to a 4 rating. Used 4lo a couple of times.
Nate A
Jul 21, 2025
Open
The trail was nice in the beginning, but ended up getting rough shortly after the first creek crossing. Lots of ruts, loose and large rocks, and off-camber sections. A couple more creek crossings further on the trail with a larger one once you get into Leavitt Lake. It was really windy the first night, 15-20 mph winds with 25-30 mph gusts. Stayed a couple of days and glad we did. The wind finally calmed down and the lake was still. Weather was about 40-50 degrees at night and 60-70 during the day when we went. Plenty of sun so make sure you bring some shade or find a good spot under the trees. Such a beautiful place and will be going back again.
WOALIFE Jeep
Jul 18, 2025
Open
Mainly a fire road, a couple of area with ruts and rock obstacles. Nothing a stock 4x4 can’t handle. Camping in the other hand was ridiculous! Groups of idiots blasting music and yelling until 4am. Impossible to sleep. Others shooting guns and M80’s at 9-10pm. Wind sucked almost daily. Last night 25-30 MPH gusts all night. One and done for this location!
Jackson Woods
Jul 14, 2025
Open
Pretty hairy section full of large rocks about halfway through the trail. No idea how sprinter vans make it, but there was on at the lake. Very busy for a Monday. Most/all waterfront spots were taken, we got the last one and had to park within 30 feet or so from other groups. WINDY. Couldn’t sleep, very very windy, and the landscape tells me that’s probably normal. There were some spots to the south that were on a closed trail, but people drove through it anyway. Stick the trails so we don’t lose them! Sick spot, but camp in the trees to get a decent nights rest.

Leavitt Lake Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Leavitt Lake Map

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