Last updated: September 9, 2025
Place
Lukens Lake Trailhead from Tioga Road

Animal-Safe Food Storage, Trailhead
This short trail winds through a mixed conifer forest, then over a saddle and down to a small mountain lake surrounded by a meadow. Shooting stars and dozens of other species of wildflowers abound, often through July. Stay on designated trails to protect the meadow, even if the trail is wet or muddy. The trail is typically wet and muddy until early August.
Distance: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round-trip
Elevation gain: 200 ft (60 m)
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Tips & Seasonal Information
Stay on trail, even when muddy! Go through mud puddles rather than around them to preserve plant life in this sensitive ecosystem.
Pets and bicycles are not allowed on hiking trails. A vault toilet is available at the trailhead.
This trailhead is only reachable by vehicle when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or early June to sometime in October or November.
Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall. Overnight parking on this road, including this trailhead, ends October 15. For current road and weather information, please call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1).