Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Fairfield?

Accepted Answer

Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine is the closest documented trip to Fairfield at roughly 115 miles (about 128 minutes of driving) from the Glen Alpine Trailhead (Fallen Leaf Lake) trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Fairfield?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Fairfield, including Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine, require a wilderness permit from Eldorado National Forest (USFS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Fairfield?

Accepted Answer

For Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine — the closest trip to Fairfield — the best months are July, August, September.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Desolation Wilderness	115 mi	~128 min	11.6 mi	3,200 ft	25	Required
2	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	138 mi	~153 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
3	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	144 mi	~160 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
4	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	149 mi	~166 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
5	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	163 mi	~181 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
6	Snag Lake Loop Lassen Volcanic National Park	164 mi	~182 min	7.8 mi	603 ft	11	Required
7	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	175 mi	~195 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
8	Lost Coast Trail King Range (Lost Coast)	187 mi	~207 min	24.4 mi	405 ft	15	Required
9	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	189 mi	~210 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
10	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	202 mi	~224 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
11	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	205 mi	~228 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
12	Big Pine Lakes Inyo National Forest	213 mi	~237 min	13.5 mi	7,086 ft	46	Required

Best backpacking trips near Fairfield, CA