South Zapata Trail #852

From the parking lot the trail starts off by following up to Zapata Falls before splitting off at a marked sign/kiosk. The sign was vandalized to say 14 miles but it's only 4.5 up to South Zapata Lake. The trail goes in and out of shaded forest with some extended sections of full sun exposure. Early on the trail merges with a rocky creek with flowing water and then becomes more clear further up at a creek crossing over suspended logs. There are several more creek crossings on the trail, some of which require less agile dogs to be carried across. About a half mile from the lake the trail opens up into high meadows with several small pools and water on the trail. Just before the final rise to the lake the trail all but disappears and you're left to find your own path up the rocks. After the rocks the lake is finally visible and provides for a very refreshing (cold!) swim after a hot run.