Clear Lake

Date: September 6, 2018

Distance: 9.4 miles, 2,354 ft elevation gain, 4 hours 45 minutes

Rating: “moderate”, high altitude

Wildlife seen: Marmots, Pika, deer

 

This lake can actually be accessed by (almost any) vehicle. Take a left after the gas statin on Highway 550 North just before entering the town of Silverton. Continue a couple of miles until a left turn gravel road to South Mineral Campground. 3.7 miles down that road the right hand turn leads up to the lake.

 

However, to do the hike, continue on to the campground and trailhead parking lot. The lot can be busy as it is also the start of the popular Ice Lakes hike (future blog). There is a decent bathroom across the road at the campground. Be on the lookout for moose along Mineral Creek as you drive in (I didn’t see any but heard they can be spotted there).

The trail winds through a fairly dense forest, gradually uphill to the first creek crossing. There are multiple spots to cross depending on the time of year. Looking up you can see the waterfall that will be crossed from above.  The next crossing is 0.7 miles in, where Ice Lakes trail continues on to the left. This crossing takes you past the bottom of a nice waterfall. Watch your footing and children near the edge, but there is plenty of room to cross safely (I’d avoid the loose and slippery looking logs and use the rocks closer in).

From here it is a short distance to the 4 wheel drive road mentioned above. The remainder of the hike is along this road (about 3.5 miles).

Hiking along a road is NOT my favorite thing, but there were some great views and at this elevation I got a nice workout! Fuller Peak, I believe is one of these.

 

The road forks after a steep uphill section. Stay to the right. I’m not sure where the left leads, the road appears to continue on up.

Around the corner is a body of water than had me fooled at first! This isn’t Clear Lake:

Here it is! Surrounded by jagged mountains including Grant Peak. Clear Lake is a beautiful high alpine sight!

 

 

A storm blew in behind me around 11 am. There was wind and thunder in the distance. I hiked quickly to below treeline and made it back to my car under a little hail and rain.