North Fork Lake Bypass Trail

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Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Similar to Victor Lake Trail #7115, this North Fork Lake Bypass Trail connects Highline Trail #7094 to the CDT/Fremont Trail at North Fork Lake. This appears to be a well used trail, and so is included for completeness and clarity in this area, as not all trail junctions are signed.

As shown here, North Fork Lake Bypass Trail starts on the north end of North Fork Lake at a trail junction along the CDT/Fremont Trail. North Fork Lake Bypass Trail runs across a grassy meadow and hillside along the edge of North Fork Lake for its first 0.15 miles, and then turns right to climb a short ways along a small creek. At the top of this climb, in a rocky meadow, at a trail sign, this trail goes left onto Victor Lake Trail #7115 for a very short ways. Almost immediately there is an unsigned fork in the trail. Go left at this fork to continue on North Fork Lake Bypass Trail.

After the fork, North Fork Lake Bypass Trail, gradually climbs and descends the grassy, rocky meadows and thin woods. There are good views of the lake for the next 0.3 miles as the trail climbs with unobstructed views from the hillside. Then the trail begins to descend and goes behind a knoll that obstructs the lake views. The trail descends for 0.3 miles to end at a trail junction with Highline Trail #7094.

Thin woods and grassy, rocky meadows. Summer wildflowers. Loons.