Hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in one shot is a goal shared by many Tahoe locals and weekend visitors. It’s an arduous but relatively safe route that is mostly above treeline and offers 360 degree views for miles in all directions.

Each of the three peaks featured in this hike sit above 10,000 feet. Freel Peak is the highest peak in the entire Lake Tahoe Basin at 10,881 feet.

There are some variations to this three-peak excursion, but the clockwise route described in this blog is the most common way of accomplishing the feat.

So with a little prior planning and some moderately athletic preparation, you can successfully hike Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in a day.

Hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak Trail Data (approximations):

Location: South Tahoe – Luther Pass

Category of Hike: Day Hike, Multi-Day Hike

Total Mileage: 12 miles

Total Elevation Gain: 4,100 feet

Highest Point: 10,881 feet

Trail Conditions: Alternating between hard-packed and sandy soil

Considerations for Hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak Trail:

Confirm that the gate to Forest Service Road 051 is open and your vehicle is equipped for the road conditions

Plan for the worst, hope for the best—this route features at least 5 miles of fully exposed terrain that sits at 10,000 feet of elevation or higher

Begin your hike earlier than you would start a lesser day hike in order to give yourself plenty of daylight to work with, as well as enabling you to get off of the higher peaks before any afternoon storms roll in

Adhere to all Leave No Trace principles

There are few trail signs and markers on public lands in the Tahoe region, so unless there are tracks to follow, the correct route may be difficult to identify–when in doubt, turn back

Be prepared for inclement weather and carry plenty of warm clothes, food, and water

Leave an itinerary of your plans with someone who’ll call emergency services if you don’t return by your prescribed time

Dogs are allowed, but keep them on leash and pick up after them

Click on the above map to enlarge it for better viewing and printing. This map is only for reference and shows the general route to Freel Peak. Always carry a traditional topographic map and compass when traveling in the backcountry.

Click on the above map to enlarge it for better viewing and printing. This map is only for reference and shows the general route from Freel Peak back to the dirt parking area on Forest Service Road 051. Always carry a traditional topographic map and compass when traveling in the backcountry.

Parking Directions for the Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak Hiking Trail:

The most simplified version of the parking instructions for hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak is this…

take SR 89 about 9-10 miles south of Meyers, CA, to Forest Service Road 051 (.75 miles beyond the Luther Pass sign), drive up that road for 3.5 miles, park in the big open dirt area on the left, and hit the trail.

Those were the basic instructions I received from a friend I had run into on top of Mount Tallac on January 7, 2012. Winter had not yet arrived that year and many people were hiking peaks in the Lake Tahoe Basin well into January.

I was looking to hike Freel Peak the following weekend, but the only route I knew was long and grueling. I described this to my friend that day on Tallac, and that’s when she mentioned a slightly easier approach to Freel Peak.

My friend’s instructions were simple and accurate, but I didn’t pay close enough attention to some key details and clearly didn’t ask enough questions.

Needless to say my hike of Freel Peak the following weekend became an experience I, nor the friend who hiked with me, will never forget. The day also became “that which we do not speak of” forevermore.

If you’re already familiar with the Luther Pass area, take those above instructions and run with ’em. But I recommend reading further for detailed information about Forest Service Road 051, which is where you’ll park for this route.

Sunrise over the Carson Valley and Jobs Peak. Photo taken by Jared Manninen on June 3, 2016.

Freel Peak and Jobs Sister are technically located within the Lake Tahoe Basin, but both peaks are on the border between the Lake Tahoe Basin (managed by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit) and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

The reason this is important is because the most common trailhead to access Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, or Jobs Peak (and the route I’m describing) is via Forest Service Road 051. On some maps this road is also referred to as Willow Creek Road. Some Tahoe locals call it Crystal Mines Road.

Regardless of what you call it, know that this rugged and rough dirt road is located within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This means that the road (with a green Forest Service access gate) is managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest office in Carson City, NV.

Forest Service Road 051 is not managed by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in South Lake Tahoe, CA.

The reason this is important is because the gate at the entrance to Forest Service Road 051 is locked for many months out of the year. There are no specific open/close dates for the gate. That’s based on the conditions.

Mostly the gate is locked during winter months, but in 2017 the gate remained closed until the end of June due to the harsh conditions remaining from the 2016/17 Snowmaggedon (i.e. epic winter). When the gate was opened, FS 051 had deep ruts and mud/water zones where it would’ve been impossible to negotiate with a standard passenger vehicle.

The day I drove the road (July 4, 2017) to assess it for vehicle access, I witnessed a Toyota RAV4 safely coming down the road, but on my way out I met some folks who were in a newer Ford Mustang. They only made it about a half mile past the gate before having to turn around.

If you’re planning to hike Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak, you don’t want to add another seven miles (round trip) of unnecessary road walking. I’ve traveled this road by foot voluntarily and by necessity many times and the additional miles make an already long day, longer.

Before you leave the house consider the time of year you plan to hike Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak via this route. Then, confirm that the gate is unlocked and your vehicle is appropriate for driving the road.

When you’re positive the gate is open, take SR 89 out of Meyers, CA, and head south for approximately 9 miles to Luther Pass.

Three-quarters of a mile beyond the official Luther Pass sign (on your descent into Hope Valley) you’ll find Forest Service Road 051 on the left (north side of SR 89).

This road is easy to miss because it’s surrounded by trees and lacks any official indicators other than a small stop sign for traffic leaving the road and turning onto SR 89.

Slow down at about a half mile beyond the Luther Pass sign and keep your eyes out for the road, but be aware of traffic backing up behind you because this is a 55mph zone. You don’t want someone thinking you’re a slow-driving tourist taking in the sights and then passing you on the left at 65-70mph while you’re target fixated on finding the road and making the left hand turn onto it.

Most people don’t even realize FS 051 exists, so they’re not prepared to come to a dead stop driving downhill in a 55mph zone. This could be the case when you have to wait for oncoming traffic to clear before making the left hand turn onto the road. I apologize for belaboring what may seem like mundane details about the fine art of driving an automobile, but everything I write is born out of direct experience and it’s my desire to help you to avoid catastrophe.

Once you spot the road (the first section is paved) turn onto it and proceed uphill.

At the gate, which is set back in the forest and not visible from SR 89, the road turns to dirt.

To safely navigate the 3.5 miles of dirt road that leads to the trailhead, you need a vehicle with moderate clearance.

Prior to the road’s most recent grading (circa 2013), you would’ve needed a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance to negotiate a series of deep ruts soon after the gate.

No matter what, this road has many obstacles such as rocks, roots, and ruts that will wreak havoc on a small two-wheel drive car. For my first 12 years living at Lake Tahoe, I drove a two-wheel drive coupe and never bothered to even attempt to drive up this road (even after it was graded), which is one reason why I have so much experience traveling it by foot.

This photo of a washed out zone of Forest Service Road 051 was taken on July 4, 2017. The section of road is near the parking area to access Freel Peak. The depth of the rut here was between 6-8 inches. In addition to this area, there were multiple places along the road where the ruts and water features were 4-8 inches deep.

After approximately 3.5 miles from the gate you’ll find an open dirt area that should show obvious signs of vehicle use and probably a couple of parked vehicles. This parking area will immediately follow the second small bridge that you will cross.

While standing on FS 051 and facing that parking area, look to the far left of the parking area and you will find the trailhead.

It may take you a minute to locate it because, again, there aren’t any signs and it’s tucked back in some trees and bushes. You’ll know you’ve positively found the trailhead when you find the small foot bridge that crosses Willow Creek.

The small foot bridge is the trailhead for hiking to Freel Peak (and on to Jobs Sister and Jobs Peak).

FYI … Forest Service Road 051 continues up the hill for another mile or so and splinters off in various directions, but the main road eventually dead-ends at the base of the trail that leads to Jobs Peak.

If you were only hiking to Jobs Peak, park near the end and save yourself a short road walk. However, if you’re hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak just park at that larger area near the main trailhead.

Here’s a map to assist you in finding FS 051 (aka Willow Creek Road) for accessing the trail to Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak.

Travel along the Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak Hiking Trail:

The first thing to note about hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak is that most people travel this route in a clockwise direction (as I am describing in this blog).

The reason for this is that there is a steep sandy section below Jobs Sister. It’s not something you have to worry about falling off of or needing specialized climbing gear or skills. This section is just really exhausting to hike up because it’s an 800 foot section of vertical beach.

Minimizing exposure (i.e. not getting trapped in one section for too long) will increase your chances for a successful and safer hike.

Other than that, it’s six of one and a half dozen of another whether you choose to hike clockwise or counterclockwise. But know that this blog is written with the intention of hiking the traditional clockwise route.

Looking west from the top of Freel Peak soon after sunrise. Photo taken on June 20, 2015, by Jared Manninen.

About 1 mile after setting off on your adventure from the trailhead near the parking area, you’ll reach Armstrong Pass. This junction is also where the trail links up with Tahoe Rim Trail.

At the Armstrong Pass junction choose the trail that travels northeast (to the right as you are looking toward Lake Tahoe) and in the direction of Star Lake and Freel Peak.

If you traveled south along the Tahoe Rim Trail you would end up at the Big Meadow Campground near SR 89.

If you took the trail that travels northwest (along the left side of Armstrong Pass as you look toward Lake Tahoe) you’d link up with Fountain Place Road and the Corral Loop mountain biking trail system.

So, veer right and contour the west-southwest facing aspect of Armstrong Pass.

After approximately 3 miles you’ll reach a small saddle between Trimmer Peak (nearer Lake Tahoe) and Freel Peak.

There will be a sign at this saddle indicating that Freel Peak is one mile away. Take that trail and start heading uphill.

You’ll have to negotiate a number of small switchbacks through weather-beaten trees. At this point, you’ll have reached about 10,000 feet in elevation and be fully exposed to the elements.

Keep in mind that you’ll continue to be exposed for the next five miles.

Here is a panoramic video from the top of Freel Peak on the morning of June 20, 2015.

Lake Tahoe averages about 275 days of sunshine each year, which is why so many of us love living here. However, we’ve also experienced our fair share of punishing storms.

When tackling the hike around Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak, never assume things are going to magically work themselves out when shit goes sideways.

Respect the mountains by having contingency plans.

To me that means carrying a topographic map of the area and identifying evacuation routes. I keep a close eye on the weather throughout the day and wear adequate protection against the sun, wind, and rain. In addition to carrying enough food and water for the trip, I take enough to last me just beyond the allotted time to complete the route. I also continually monitor my hiking pace, as well as my mental and physical states.

The five mile stretch above 10,000 feet is my favorite part of this route. However, it’s also arguably the most dangerous section because once you begin your ascent of Freel Peak there just aren’t that many places to go in case of emergency.

Fortunately, because there are endless panoramic views along this route, you can navigate by line-of-sight. You can spot bad weather from miles away.

But again, make sure you have some contingency plans if something goes wrong.

Traveling from Freel Peak to Jobs Sister and then from Jobs Sister to Jobs Peak is easy to navigate. You literally can see where you are going the entire time.

When you descend Jobs Peak and reach the saddle that either leads back over to Jobs Sister or continues downhill into the forested area, pick the trail that goes downhill.

You’ll make your way down through the forest for approximately 1.25 miles and eventually end up back on FS 051.

Walk the road for about 1.5 miles back to your vehicle.

Mission accomplished!

View of Freel Peak and Jobs Sister (the two prominent peaks, respectively) from Jobs Peak on August 17, 2013. © Jared Manninen

One last self-indulgent note…

Although some people refer to this hike as Tahoe’s “Triple Crown,” I avoid using that term since it already holds an established place of honor in the hiking world.

For those who aren’t familiar, the Triple Crown refers to the big three American long-distance hikes (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail). Each one of those hikes takes between four and six months to complete.

Also consider that in the horse racing and baseball worlds the term Triple Crown refers to season-long accomplishments. As a former Appalachian Trail thru-hiker (1999), I can tell you that hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in one day is hard, but it ain’t that hard. It is ultimately a day-hike, so let’s try to keep some perspective on the matter.

Please forgive me and my obsession with semantics.

On top of Jobs Sister with Lake Tahoe in the background. This was the first time I hiked the three peaks (Jobs Peak, Jobs Sister, and Freel Peak), and I hiked them in a counterclockwise direction. Interestingly, on the very same day (August 17, 2013) the wildfire known as the Rim Fire started further south in Stanislaus National Forest. Once the Rim Fire took hold, most Tahoe locals, including myself, hit the pause button on all outdoor activity due to the heavy smoke that settled in the Lake Tahoe Basin soon after.

Here is an infographic I created about Freel Peak. Order your copy at RedBubble.

Do you have other insight, feedback, or trail updates about hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak?

If so, please post it in the comment section below for the benefit of everybody 🙂

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