From the lake trips can go along Backbone Ridge or continue along Salmon Summit to Mary Blaine Meadow to the New River Divide Trail. Other routes are possibile down into New River via several trails. Follow 10N01 18.4 miles to trailhead. Tangle Blue Lake is a scenic destination, surrounded by jagged ridgetops, and the approach is short. It is a fairly warm lake, due to its shallow depth, and swimming and fishing are just two of the benefits to be found here.
Water is found in a stream on the east side, along the swampy trail.
The easy approach means that solitude is sporadic at best. You may climb to the saddle southeast of the lake for views of granite-spired Bear Ridge, Horse Creek Basin, and Eagle Creek. From Weaverville, take Highway 3 north past Trinity Lake. Take the left. The road's condition varies from good to very rough dirt.