Peeler Lakes Backpack

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a long run from the Slate River, but you are rewarded with some of the best alpine lake camping in the area. If you have a high clearance 4X4 vehicle, you can drive a ways up Gunsight Road. Keep in mind that parking along Gunsight road is adventurous and you'll want to make sure to leave room for other vehicles.

Begin from the Slate River by running up the Gunsight road, climbing a seemingly endless series of switchbacks into Redwell Basin. You'll encounter a handful of relics from the mining days, like abandoned mine shafts, timbers and implements along the way. Once you are in Redwell Basin, look for the trail that leaves the road, bearing northwest around the steep scree escarpment.

Follow this trail, contouring northwest above the Oh Be Joyful drainage for about 2 miles. You should eventually wrap west by southwest up to your final destination. Peeler Lakes.

Make sure you make your camp at least 100' feet away from the water's edge and strongly consider using an established campsite as a "sacrifice zone" to prevent making yet another permanent impact to the landscape.

Elk, deer, birds, marmot, pika, trout, bear. Mixed forest, raspberries, wildflowers.