About South Fork Merced Trail
South Fork Merced Trail is a hard hiking trail near El Portal in Mariposa County, Nevada.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
⚠ Note from contributors: location approximate
Photo by Tobias Mrzyk on Unsplash
Hard
South Fork Merced Trail
El Portal, Nevada · Mariposa County · 20E01
South Fork Merced Trail is a hard hiking trail near El Portal in Mariposa County, Nevada.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
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37.60955, -119.77145
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at South Fork Merced Trail
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Overcast
74°/50°
💧 1%🌬 10mph
↑ 5:40 AM ↓ 8:13 PM
Sun
Clear
81°/57°
🌬 8mph
↑ 5:39 AM ↓ 8:14 PM
Mon
Overcast
86°/65°
💧 2%🌬 9mph
↑ 5:39 AM ↓ 8:14 PM
Tue
Overcast
89°/65°
🌬 9mph
↑ 5:38 AM ↓ 8:15 PM
Wed
Overcast
88°/65°
🌬 9mph
↑ 5:38 AM ↓ 8:16 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Hard” Means
Steep, technical, or long. Requires good fitness and experience.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- Moisture-wicking T-shirtLight color, breathable.
- Lightweight shorts or pantsQuick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- Brimmed sun hatBetter than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- Trail runnersBreathable mesh uppers.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 8)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- Headlamp + spare batteriesLong days can run late — never rely on phone flashlight alone.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in Nevada
Trail conditions in Nevada change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
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