Graveyard Lakes #28E15

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers

The trail starts from the Gooddale Pass Trail about 6.6 miles from the parking lot at Lake Edison. It crosses Upper Graveyard Meadow and Cold Creek, and then makes a steep climb of over 500 feet in 1/2 mile, before it levels out as it approaches Lower Graveyard Lake. The trail is tree-covered and has a lot of flowers. There are a least three good campsites on the southeast and northeast sides of the lake.

Although it doesn't show on the USFS map, a clear trail continues around the lower lake, crosses the meadow and climbs about 100 feet to the next Graveyard Lake. This is also a good-sized, beautiful lake with fewer people and at least one good campsite.

The trail continues climbing, sometimes steeply, for another 250 feet and 0.4 miles to reach the largest and most beautiful of the Graveyard Lakes. I am calling this Upper Graveyard Lake. It has several good camping sites on its south and east sides. From west side of Upper Graveyard, you can hike off-trail to several small higher lakes, including a medium-sized lake directly below Graveyard Peak.

From the east side of Upper Graveyard Lake, it is possible to hike off-trail directly down to Lower Graveyard Lake, by staying above the west side of the outlet stream until you are near the bottom. The outlet stream, itself, should be avoided, because it flows down a narrow, steep-sided little canyon.