Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon: | 39.07940°N / 120.23883°W |
County: | Placer |
Activities: | Hiking, Scrambling |
Season: | Summer, Fall |
Elevation: | 8166 ft / 2489 m |
While not prominent, it is a named peak due to its precipitous rise above Barker Pass and easy accessibility from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Due to its steepness, there isn’t an actual trail to the summit, and reaching the summit requires some scrambling.
Barker Peak is just one destination among many from Barker Pass, offering stellar views of the surrounding area.
The Barker Pass area is best accessed starting in late June through October. Snow levels depend on the season, but West Tahoe mountains get more snow than their eastern counterparts. This is an excellent snowshoeing area when the pass is open. The pass usually opens in early June and closes in early to mid-November.
Barker Peak rises just above the PCT trailhead. The PCT heads just south of Barker Peak before cutting to the west into the forest. Hike just about 300 yards up the trail from the parking area, and then hike steeply up 400’ to the summit. You can descend back down to the PCT from the summit heading west to enjoy more of the trail. The summit is reached in less than half a mile.