Shining Lake Trail #510

Dogs Unknown

Features Lake · Spring · Views

Campsites at the lake are nicely distanced from each other; there are no services but the first campsite gets decent evening sun.

The road to Fraizer Turnaround Trailhead is not maintained in the winter once you reach the dirt road (#240). Early spring commonly will have large snow drifts blocking access; hikers tend to park as far as they can drive in.

Park at the Fraizer Turnaround Trailhead at the end of Forest Service Road 240 and start the hike by following the road back out towards a fork in the road. You'll find a sign marked with "Fraizer Fork" and continue to the north along the road until you reach the true start of the Shining Lake Trail.

The road has been dug up and is no longer accessible by vehicle as visible by several large trenches and dirt mounds, but it is pretty easy hiking for the majority of the first 4 miles. The trail splits off from the main ridge path to the north and opens up to what appears to be an old campsite and clearing before dropping into the lake basin.

The trail down to the lake crosses a few streams but is relatively clear all of the way down. The trail informally ends as you arrive to the east side of the lake next to the first of three developed primitive campsites.

The trail is a former forest service access road that has been converted into a hiking trail. The road is starting to experience some rhododendron overgrowth in areas. The lake has a variety of birds with a number of calls throughout the day and night.