Isabel Trail... Whats Up There?

whiterice · Oct 7, 2006

TB-F said:
If you feel like hiking. Park at the last spur that splits to the left going up. A trail leads to the left and you can hike up to lake Isabel,

So how far of a hike is it up to the lake for the road?

blackcj71 · Oct 7, 2006

half mile maybe mile at the most..

archer1965 · Oct 7, 2006

if you hike up there, take a small inflatable raft or canoe and paddle to the far side of the lake. great fishing :clappy:

bailey · Oct 9, 2006

Last time I was up there there were a couple of apparently "common use" rafts (well, one was pretty torn-up). I am certainly tempted to fish it - my only concern is leaving my truck unattended for a long time at the end of the 4x4 trail. Although I imagine most people getting up there aren't thieves.

As stated, the hike isn't very long if you drive up the 4x4 trail. You don't need/want to drive to the end of the "road" to do the hike, not just because of the waterfall crossing (which I too always find hairy, cause I hug the left so far I ride up a stump creating a camber situation), but because you'll likely be hiking up in the wrong direction if you go to the end. It's important to note that the trail to the mine isnt the trail to the lake. If you keep heading up past the mine, you'll probably just get lost and tired (speaking from personal experience). The hiking trail head to the lake is a ways before (below) the waterfall. Theres actually a few marked/blazed tape routes, but the most obvious starting point looks like a left hand turn as you drive up but after a couple yards in you realize it's not drivable. To my recollection, this is before you reach the old lot where there was/is some structure debris (good place to park).

The final foot approach is pretty steep/near scramble and might be difficult with a lot of gear. But with a day pack and rod it's pretty easy.

EDIT: Nevermind. It looks like TB-F provided pretty good directions for hiking to the lake.

Ricky Bobby · Oct 11, 2006

I am going on Saturday, I am going to find that damn lake. Got GPS and will find it. Anyone who wants to go let me know, probably meet at the pit about 9am.

archer1965 · Oct 11, 2006

bailey said:
The final foot approach is pretty steep/near scramble and might be difficult with a lot of gear. But with a day pack and rod it's pretty easy.

I hiked that trail with an 80lb pack (four man rubber raft included) and my fly rod. :flipoff: Difficult does not begin to describe my pain :haha:
If you scramble up the right side of the waterfall, you will find the lake. There is a large granite slab with a channel cut into it to control the level of the lake.

84Toyota4x4 · Oct 11, 2006

Ricky Bobby said:
I am going on Saturday, I am going to find that damn lake. Got GPS and will find it. Anyone who wants to go let me know, probably meet at the pit about 9am.

Id be there with you, but Ive got duty at Ft. Lewis this weekend, so Im out

~T.J.