Chuck Keiper Trail
~3 days · 30 mi · hard · Loop
Quick facts
What the Chuck Keiper Trail is known for
A rugged ~30-mile loop of the Chuck Keiper Trail system through the wild areas of Sproul State Forest, as mapped in OpenStreetMap (the full double-loop system totals ~53 miles).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 3,455 ft to 7,523 ft over 30 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 14.4 mi · 48%
- Downhill 13.2 mi · 44%
- Flat 2.4 mi · 8%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Chuck Keiper Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Chuck Keiper Trail scores 23/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Chuck Keiper Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Chuck Keiper Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 30 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Chuck Keiper Trail?
The Chuck Keiper Trail climbs roughly 5,092 ft total — about 170 ft per mile, topping out near 2,303 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.