Five Lakes Basin Cross-country
DESCRIPTION:
Granite outcrops, glaciated cliffs, and intimate meadows with views of over a dozen small isolated lakes and Black Buttes make this a great cross-country scramble. Three of the deeper lakes were stocked with trout in the past; remote locations improve fishing. For me, if this is not the true heart of the Grouse Ridge Area, it is where its soul rests. I’ve seen a lot of couples camping in this remote basin, but few families. Not yet anyway.
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7160’-7300’-6980’ | See Directions for two different options. Don’t try to either climb up from -- or even drop down to -- Lake Faucheri unless you carry a parachute for shortcutting down the cliffs. The route has been done, but I’ve never talked to anyone who did it twice. |
DIRECTIONS:
To Five Lakes Basin Cross-country
Topographic Map: English Mountain Veer left (northeast) off Glacier Lake Trail about one mile before reaching Glacier Lake was the early-on favorite of hikers. This approach is doable, but it’s easy to cliff-up until you know the secrets. There are no signs or useful markers for first time visitors. A slightly longer hike with a short climb over Sand Ridge is a better and more popular route. That trail is not signed at the intersection with the Glacier Lake Trail, but there is a sign post and the tread-way is easy to spot. The trail junction is about a 0.5 mile east of the trail from the beginning of the Glacier Lake Trail. At the sign post, veer off to the north east up Sand Ridge and stay on the beaten path until you drop down into the all-granite Five Lakes Basin. There are no actual constructed trails. The trail is not shown on current maps. This is country where you should use a topographic map. You can try to follow the dozens of ducks (three small rocks piled where they can be seen) placed there by others hoping to find their way out. If you keep track of a few landmarks the basin is small enough that it’s not that difficult to climb back out. If you drop down to the east and not too far north from the last remnant of trail, you’ll start seeing the biggest lake of the five larger lakes.
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Good)
