In the meadow northeast of the Horseshoe Lake Ranger Station the remains of an early settler’s cabin can be seen, and many wildflowers and birds. The trail follows Grassy Creek much of the way to Snag Lake.
Snag Lake was created by lava flows from Cinder Cone damming Grassy Creek. The trees that were killed slowly rotted and fell into the lake, but in the early days of the park there were many standing snags to be seen. Since the lake seeps through lava, the level varies considerably from year to year and season to season, depending on the rains.
Trails follow both the east and west sides of Snag Lake, continuing to Butte Lake. (See Trail [No. 27].)
[29]. JUNIPER LAKE TO SNAG LAKE
| Starting Point: | Juniper Lake Ranger Station |
| Distances: | 3 miles, one way, to southern end of Snag Lake |
| Topography: | Climb 240 feet in first half mile, followed by a descent of 1,000 feet |
| Time: | 4½ hours, round trip |
| Features: | Lakes, stream, flowers, forest, history |
Wildflowers bloom profusely in Cameron Meadows during July and often into August, and it is a good area for birds and deer. Here, also, are the remains of an early settler’s cabin.
The trail is shaded by ponderosa pine and fir forest most of the way, except for a short stretch at Cameron Meadows. From here it swings close to the east fork of Grassy Creek and continues on to Snag Lake.
From Snag Lake Trail [No. 27] continues on to Butte Lake.