Glacier Lake Trail
DESCRIPTION:
Pleasant east-west trail at the foot of Sand Ridge ends at the deep Glacier Lake popular for Golden trout fishing (stocked 2000) and swimming on hot days. This is a family-sized hike if the kids are 10ish or more. The dramatic backdrop is Black Buttes, the highest point (8030') in the Grouse Ridge Area. For the truly adventuresome and fit hiker it will be difficult to resist scrambling to the top of Black Buttes for spectacular views. My choice was to scramble up from the east and drop down to Glacier Lake from the west. The swim will be doubly hard to resist by the time you get back down. The climb is best for experts only who have their topographic map, a companion, and aren’t in tennis shoes. Scrambling up to the very top of a couple of the half-dozen castle-like bastions is too risky but one or two are easier scrambles if you pick your route carefully. Almost all of the Grouse Ridge country will lie below you and magnificently in view. But beware of being lured into a climb you’re not ready or prepared for.
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6940’-7580’ |
|
DIRECTIONS:
To Glacier Lake Trail
Topographic Maps: English Mt. This trail begins 1.0 mile north of the Campground either via the steadily downhill Grouse Ridge Trail section from the Grouse Ridge Campground and trailhead. Glacier Lake Trail can also be accessed from Carr Lake via Round Lake Trail, which is 2.2 miles to the Glacier Lake trail junction. Keep the additional mileages or the climb back up hill in mind when returning from Glacier Lake.
ACTIVITIES:
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Best)
Mountain Biking (Rating: Good)
Best when combined with the Round Lake Trail from Carr Lake.
Fishing (Rating: Good)
Both the reservoir and Gerle Creek are attractive fishing spots. The creek is actually more rewarding than the lake. The lake has some nice-sized Browns but are tricky to catch, and most of the recreationists prefer to swim and paddle any kind of rubber or plastic dingy rather than fish. No motors are allowed on boats. The shoreline provides good fishing around the lake. A handicapped accessible pier into the lake near the campground is provided. But this is also where the majority of people swim. Go in the off-season when the water is too cool for swimming but perfect for making the fish more active.
.
Gerle Creek is a good place to teach kids to fish the flowing waters of a Sierras’ stream. The Brown Trout are a feature fish by CF&G and are periodically stocked into the stream, but not into the lake itself. Brookies are kid-sized and hungry.
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Exceptional)
The Round Lake, Crooked Lakes, and Glacier Lakes Trails make a great combination of trails for a long day or a short outing in the Grouse Ridge Area. Glacier Lakes Trail has the most wide-open, sweeping views. The others have the most lakes to bag in one trip.
Glacier Lake makes a great destination for lunch, swimming, fishing, or just enjoying life!
