American Lake

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This popular trail has just enough elevation gain at altitude to be a good workout. The rewards are ample: beautiful fields of wildflowers, a pristine alpine lake and a heaping dose of colorful aspens. Most folks consider the trail to American Lake to have better fall leaf viewing than its more exposed neighbor Cathedral Lake Trail.

There are no established bathrooms at this trailhead. The closest outhouse is located up valley at the Ashcroft ghost town parking lot.

From the limited parking area just off Castle Creek Road, hop across a small stream and enter a fenced meadow encircled by stands of mature aspen. From here, the climb begins via a series of long switchbacks. The going is fairly steep, but you're ensconced in one of the most majestic aspen forests in the area. Occasional views across the valley and intermittent creek burblings keep the ascent from becoming too monotonous.

Just as you begin to suffer from aspen splendor overload, the trail abruptly enters a shady evergreen forest and the grade eases. There are still a few steep pitches through the woods but overall this is where you can recover a bit. The path surface becomes rockier in the woods but the trail is well maintained with deadfall promptly removed. Cross through a couple of grassy meadows where wildflowers thrive and wildlife is often spotted.

Round a spine to head west and enter the Devaney Creek drainage. Here, enjoy a handful of joyous steps of downhill travel. This soon ends as the trail angles up steeply again for the last push to the lake. Emerge from the woods into an alpine wonderland of scree, distant peaks and intense sunlight. Navigate a couple of short talus fields on the way to the water's edge. The small green lake is bounded on two sides by cliffs and rock slides where chirpy pika make their homes. A series of faint secondary trails wind over the banks to reach fishing spots, campsites and viewpoints. It is hard to find a more scenic place for a snack and quiet contemplation.

Horses are allowed on this trail, but there is little evidence of their usage.

Aspens galore!