Lakes Country Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Swimming · Views

This should be great for runners. The section from the Duck Lake turnoff leading up to Island Lake gets rather rocky and loose but should be manageable.

Starting at the Crystal Lake Trailhead, you’ll continue past the Crystal Lake and Cliff Lake turnoffs and cross a small creek before turning west along the flank of Haystack Mountain.

A series of switchbacks takes you up and over the saddle between Haystack Mountain and Mount Watson to the north. From here, you’ll descend and pass a spur that can take you to Marjorie and Weir Lakes, but this trail continues on past Long Lake.

After crossing the outlet, you’ll come to a rocky section where you can lose the trail if you’re not careful. About a mile past Long Lake, you’ll arrive at another spur that can take you to Duck Lake, but continue on and the next section is a short, steep climb up to Island Lake.

You can connect here to trails that actually continue on far beyond to Smith and Morehouse Reservoir, but the Lakes Country Trail ends here.