Simply walk to the sandy picnic beach in front of the lodge, follow the lakeshore to the right, and climb to the paved bike path. Ducks, shadowy trout, and zillions of dragonflies patrol the lapping shore. Raucous gray jays and scampering golden-mantled ground squirrels watch passersby. At times the trail dips into a forest of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and long-needled ponderosa pine. Look here for white trilliums in May and star-flowered smilacina in June.
Views ahead are to broad Mt. Bailey.
Spire-tipped Mt. Thielsen is behind you. After 1.7 miles, the trail briefly joins a road to cross Lake Creek, the lake's outlet. This is a good turnaround spot for hikers with children. If you're continuing, you'll find the trail wedged between the shore and the road for the next 1.2 miles. This path heads upstream through an oasis in the dry lodgepole pine forests.