Fish Lake

 

This was our first riding trip to Fish Lake.  We reconned the area on Nov. 1 and discovered the conditions seemed ideal for a ride.  No crowds.  In fact, basically no one else at all. And very little snow that we could see and dry trails.    We decided at the last minute that Nov. 2 would be our only chance to ride it this coming week, so we packed up and made a day trip.  I had studied maps, so had an idea of what we wanted to do. 

 But, studying maps may help a little, but doesn't prepare you for the trail conditions, steepness or distance.  I found out shortly before we went that the Lakeside trail we wanted to ride was off limits to horses for a considerable part. My next plan was to park in a pull out near the Pelican Point, ride the Lake Shore trail to the other trailhead, then ride down the trail along the southeast side of the lake until we got to the part that went up the mountainside. It looked to be about a 7-8 mile ride.   

Here is a link to a description of the 4 sections of the Lake Shore National Recreation Trail.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/fishlake/recarea/?recid=80504

We ended up riding part of Section 3.

This map at the trailhead was misleading.  Made it look so easy.  Glad I studied more detailed maps.

This portion of a topo PDF map was more helpful.  I studied it, but didn't take it with me.

This view from the trailhead looked good.

Yep, horses allowed.

This is where we ended up parking.  Across the road to the northwest from the Lake Creek trailhead.  Lots of horse evidence here.

This is the actual trailhead called "Lake Creek".  We could have parked here.

This was our track for the day.  7 miles total.  We rode part of the LakeShore trail, went a little ways up the Crater Lake Trail, crossed over to the Porcupine Draw trail, went up towards Johnson Valley Reservoir on the Lake Creek trail and then back to the trailhead, our trailer, then took a cross country ride up the ridge before quitting for the day.  We kept saying "We better do this, because we may not come back here."  Now, thinking back on it, I wouldn't mind coming back, perhaps a bit earlier in the year, maybe October when the aspen leaves were still on.  I would NOT do the Section 3 of the Lakeside trail again.  We only got half way down and turned around because we were just tired of the rocky trail. We were able to avoid some of it by riding closer to the shore line.  I was hoping maybe for a beach, but it was just too muddy and looked unsafe.

Started out by crossing the road and getting from our parking spot to the trailhead.

A bridge right off the bat.  On the way back we found a nice place to cross and give the horses a drink.

Riding along the Lake Creek trail

Lake Creek Trail looking towards Johnson Valley Reservoir

Porcupine Draw trail looking towards Lake Creek

Heading up the Crater Lakes trail right at first. We were hoping for a view shot from the top of the ridge, but ended up not getting it because we went down another way.

This is where we turned back on the Crater Lakes trail.  It just got too rocky and steep.  The photo doesn't show how steep at all!

Pretty spot on the Crater Lakes trail

Lake Side trail Section 3

Lake Side trail Section 3

Lake Side trail Section 3

Lake Side trail Section 3

Lake Side trail Section 3

We didn't ride out on Section 2, but chose instead to just ride up the hillside a little bit to get a lake view.

All in all, the solitude was refreshing and the views were wonderful. It was really nice to ride with no noise or crowds or flies or mosquitoes.

 It was worth the 5 hours of total driving time...we might be back again to do Section 2 of the Lakeside and maybe one called Reflection Spring.

I'll update  the blog if we do.

Meanwhile, if anyone has more information or photos on the trails around Fish Lake, let me know.

I found the following map AFTER we got back.