Starting Point: East side of Summit Lake
Distances: 8 miles, one way
Topography: Two ridges to cross, 500 feet and 300 feet
Time: 6 hours one way. For round trip, it will take
approximately twice the time
Features: Lakes, forest, flowers, wildlife
[Illustration: Trail map]
This is one of the two main trails to the east part of the park.
Horseshoe Lake can also be reached by a dirt road from Chester. If
transportation can be arranged this trail will make a comparatively easy
day’s hike. There is a campground at Horseshoe Lake, so it can make a
good objective for an overnight hike. Hardy hikers can make the round
trip in one day.
The first part of the trip is most of No. 13, and from Upper Twin Lake
the trail goes south and passes close to the base of Crater Butte. Part
of the trip is in open meadows and part through fir-pine forest.
An interesting variation for a round trip is to return via Grassy Swale
Creek. (See No. 15, Summit Lake to Horseshoe Lake via Grassy Swale
Creek.)
[Illustration: Mountain lake]