Deer Lake Trail
After a short camping trip at Little Gold Lake I decided to take a different unknown route out to the main hwy. It would take a little longer but the goal was to search for more beauty and inspiration in these woods. With a backroad guide, I was able to match together a few different trails that would take me up to Deer Lake lookout and back down to civilization. I didn't expect the terrain and views to be a spectacular as they were. It was prime for shooting videos and photo. Very picturesque.
Deer Lake Trail
The trail was a moderate climb coming from Gold Lake. I'm on a 2 1/2" to 3" lift in my Tacoma and didn't have any issues along the way. There were a few tricky spots but none that caused any trouble. It probably took me maybe 30 min or so to crawl up to the top which looks to be sitting at roughly around 7400'.
The signs along the way were not very helpful but I made it just the same. Here I made it to a fork in the road with way leading down to the lake and one heading up to the crest.
There was one last rocky spot at the top that wasn't as bad as it seemed at first sight. Once you crested that section your view opens up to the beautiful Deer Lake sitting below and the Sierra Buttes to the right in the distance. I was more than excited to have found this new opportunity for camping. The Pacific Crest Trail runs parallel with the dirt road so many people who have walked this path have stumbled upon it's beauty as well.
As spectacular as this was, if you look in distance to the Sierra Buttes tallest peak there sits a fire lookout that is also accessible by trail and a bit of a hike up hill. I met some folks that had just been there and said it was amazing. The view was spectacular but with that were carvings on rocks of peoples signatures from what looked to be the late 1800's. Can't wait to go there next!
Photo. Video. Adventure. Let's go outside.