Beaver Lake
- Summary:
- Beaver Lake is a medium sized lake surrounded by old growth forest and bogs sitting at an elevation of 440 feet on a lower bench of Bear Mountain. There is a small platform with a pair of benches overlookin the outflow of Beaver Lake. A skiff is generally tied up where the trail reaches the lake but oars may be in poor condition or missing entirely.
- Distance and Time: 2 miles; 40-80 min (round trip)
- A significant factor in the time it takes to hike this trail is the pace that can be maintained along the initial steep section.
- Difficulty: Moderately Easy
- Elevation Change: Moderate
- The first quarter mile consists of a series of switchbacks up a steep hillside from the bottom of the valley with an elevation gain of more 200 feet.
- After the first quarter mile the elevation change to the lake is slight.
- Route Finding: Easy
- Trail Condition: Good
- In winter sections of the trail may be quite icy.
- Seasonal Notes
- Spring
- Flowers bloom all along the trail starting in spring.
- Rufous Hummingbirds may be quite audible and visible along the initial section of switchbacks.
- Grayling can occasionally be seen in the stream where the trail passes by.
- Summer
- Flowers bloom throughout the summer.
- Dragonflies are common in the area around the lake.
- Fall
- The first snow on the surrounding mountains can be a dramatic sight.
- Winter
- Accessibility is less convenient due to the closure of Blue Lake Road
- The trail may be quite icy in places.
- The lake may freeze
© Matt Goff
A must! Serene perfection.
Comment by Lisa — May 5, 2016 @ 10:05 pm