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A short hike with great views to a small alpine lake.


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Map Key

6.4

Miles

10.3

KM

Out and Back

6,969' 2,124 m

High

6,664' 2,031 m

Low

718' 219 m

Up

719' 219 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views

Family Friendly Kids love the easy trails and multiple swimming opportunities.

Overview

This route follows a well-maintained trail system to one of many alpine lakes in the area. Most intersections are well signed, but having the Hiking Project mobile app helps!

Need to Know

This trailhead does require taking a gravel road for about 3-4 miles. Parts of this road can be kind of rough for standard front wheel drive cars, but as long as you take it slow most cars will make it just fine.

Description

This short hike starts on Round Lake Trail which weaves around various alpine lakes. Round Lake Trail extends east from Feeley Lake to the Grouse Ridge Trail, passing Island, Long, Round, and Milk Lakes along the way. There are several excellent campsites near Island Lake, a picturesque lake surrounded by rock knolls and scattered patches of timber. Several rocky islands give the name to this, the largest of the lakes in the group. Summer visitors often swim to these islands to enjoy the sun and the scenery. Then make your way along the shores of Island Lake and various unnamed lakes/ponds.

After heading uphill for a bit, you'll head left on Crooked Lakes Trail to arrive at Penner Lake. The trail is maintained from Island Lake to Penner Lake, of the most scenic of the Grouse Lakes, with good fishing and a number of good campsites.

There is a wide variety of alternate trails in the area to take to either extend or shorten this hike as desired. Additionally, there are also lots of good areas for backcountry camping.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brad H

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 8 votes

#2391

Overall
  4.5 from 8 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#311

in California

#2,391

Overall
8 Views Last Month
8,087 Since Apr 19, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Enjoy beautiful woodlands along the Crooked Lakes Trail heading toward Penner Lake.
May 20, 2017 near Downiev…, CA
Prepping for the journey.
May 31, 2015 near Downiev…, CA
Island lake at dusk, looking east.
Aug 15, 2022 near Downiev…, CA
Island Lake is a great place to take a rest along the Crooked Lakes Trail.
May 20, 2017 near Downiev…, CA
View across Island Lake
Apr 19, 2015 near Downiev…, CA
Swimming at Feeley Lake
May 31, 2015 near Downiev…, CA

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Weather


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Check-Ins

Jul 27, 2020
daniel haim
May 8, 2020
Derek Bisping
3mi — 2h 00m
Oct 28, 2018
Karen Kelley
Jul 1, 2018
Gabe Guzman
Jul 9, 2017
Sky Aeronaut
Beautiful out there! I hiked to north end where I originally wanted to camp but it was already taken so ended up in a more beautiful spot in middle. 3.6mi
Jun 21, 2017
Rick Gentry
Much snow on trail. Very hot 6.4mi
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