Why I Love It
Deadman’s Lake is one of those hikes that doesn’t try to ease you in—and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s hands down one of the toughest one-mile climbs in Sierra County. No switchbacks, no gradual build, just straight uphill from the moment you start.

But the experience begins even before the climb. You wade across the Yuba River to get there, which immediately makes it feel a little more adventurous, a little more off the beaten path. You have to pay attention to conditions, be prepared, and commit to the hike before it even really begins.

Once you’re across, it’s a grind. Steep terrain, likely some logs to climb over, and a climb that keeps your legs working the entire way. It’s short, but it demands effort—and that’s what makes it so satisfying. When you reach the lake, you’ve earned it.

Start & Hike Details

• Follow Highway 49 between Carvin Creek Housing and Chapman Creek Campground. Just after a sharp curve to the left, look on the right for two snow plow marker poles set about six feet apart—closer than the others.

• Park there, as this is the trailhead, though it’s not obvious.

• Begin by wading across the Yuba River, and plan accordingly based on water levels and conditions. Once across, the trail climbs immediately and consistently uphill with no switchbacks to offer relief.

Trail details - 2 mile out/back, 885 elevation gain, 6,675 highest point, hard