Lakes Country Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Swimming · Views

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.