Hike to and from Duncan Peak Lookout on Little Bald Mountain in the Sierras

SUMMARY
On this hike in Tahoe National Forest, the Sierras, and on Little Bald Mountain, we will hike in an almost clockwise loop with a short out and back trip to and from Duncan Peak Fire Lookout via Western States Trail, Little Bald Mountain Trail, Duncan Peak Fire Lookout Rd, Little Bald Mountain Trail, and Duncan Trail for about 5 miles with an overall elevation gain of about 800 feet while taking in the views on the ridge of Little Bald Mountain.

MEETING TIMES AND PLACES
For carpooling, meet 8:00am at a park and ride next to Shell Gas Station on Taylor Rd on Roseville, and the address is 1821 Taylor Rd, Roseville, CA 95661.
Please pay carpool driver the current price of gas per gallon.

For those meeting directly at trailhead, meet 9:45am at the Western States Trailhead and small parking lot next to Robinson Flat Campground at the end of Foresthill Divide Rd, and one of Google GPS coordinators for locating the trailhead and small parking lot is 39.155278, -120.503327.

HIKING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
DIFFICULTY: Moderate due some hills and high altitude.
DISTANCE: About 5 miles.
ELEVATION: About 800 feet in overall elevation gain.
ROUTE: Start at Western States Trailhead next to Robinson Flat Campground, then hike on Western States Trail for about .75 mile, then turn right and hike mostly uphill on Little Bald Mountain Trail for about 2.45 miles, then turn left and hike gradually uphill on Duncan Peak Fire Lookout Road for about .22 mile, then after briefly visiting the Duncan Peak Fire Lookout and taking in the views, backtrack and hike gradually downhill on Duncan Peak Fire Lookout Road for about
.22 mile, then turn right and backtrack on the Little Bald Mountain Trail for about .32 mile, then turn left and hike downhill on the Duncan Trail for about 1 mile back to the starting point. I recommend you download and use AllTrails, Gaia, or other apps to help you stay on the trails and roads.

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

ESSENTIALS: Bring water, snacks/small lunch, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, etc), insect repellent spray, first aid kit, cell phones in case of emergencies, etc.

REFERENCE:
Information about practicing leave no trace principles can be found on the following link;
https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/