Palmer Lake Trail #7129

Dogs Off-leash

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Palmer Lake Trail starts at Section Corner Lake, in the subalpine forest, at about 9,300 feet. It climbs about 700 feet over its first 1.7 miles, to emerge from the forest into the open, grassy alpine high country at about 10,000 feet. Round Lake is soon reached at the 2.4 mile mark.

Round Lake is in the high country alpine meadows surrounded by the grassy, rocky hills and knolls that characterize this area. Palmer Lake Trail runs along the west side of Round Lake, and continues north, heading for Palmer Lake. A short climb brings Palmer Lake into view, and the trail then descends a bit as it crosses Doubletop Mountain Trail #7131, and arrives at Palmer Lake.

Continuing in the high country alpine, the trail passes Palmer Lake, and climbs a bit more to reach the trail's high point. From here, the trail descends for the rest of its length. And what a descent....

In a short 0.4 miles, the trail leaves the open meadows of the high country, and enters forest as it starts its descent following Reynolds Creek downstream. Reynolds Creek is in a steep sided rocky valley, basically a canyon. Initially on switchbacks, 700 feet of elevation are lost in the first half mile of the forested descent. Only 600 more feet to drop down in the final 1 1/2 miles of Palmer Lake Trail. Although the descent eases, the canyon walls rise steeply and the trail is narrow and rocky. Reynolds Creek is crossed along the way, and the trail continues on in the forest.

As the trail finally levels out in a small lush meadow, New Fork River is crossed, and Palmer Lake Trail ends at New Fork - Porcupine Trail #137.

The southern end of Palmer Lake Trail is forested with a few grassy meadows. The middle stretch of this trail is in the high country - grassy, rocky hills and bluffs, dotted with trees. The northern end of the trail steeply drops down the Renolds Creek canyon which is forested and rocky.