The U.S. Forest Service’s Summit Ranger District station, is a mile from Pinecrest Lake. You can visit them and get information about a little trail across the street that winds through a few bark teepees.
There is a four mile winding trail around Pinecrest. Considered a moderate hike plan to be gone for 2 hours. Look for all the wildlife in the area and be prepared for changing mountain weather.
Branching off of the lake trail are trails to Cleo’s bath and Catfish lake. The trail to Catfish lake, once home to catfish is past the dam. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour from the turn off at the lake trail.
Cleo’s bath is a series of natural pools along the river which feeds Pinecrest Lake. There is a sign directing you to Cleo’s bath from the lake trail but the hike is strenuous, you need good hiking shoes and be able to climb over rocks. For more about Pinecrest go to the destination guide. For more about the town and history of Pinecrest visit the community pages.
Note: There are no facilities on the lake trail or the trail to Cleo’s.
