Ostrander Lake Cutoff

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Wildflowers

The trail is narrow with rocks and roots strewn throughout, especially the closer you get to the Ostander Lake Trail. Downed trees slow running at several stages, as they have not been dealt with by the park service to date.

The Ostrander Lake Cutoff provides a shortcut between the Ghost Forest to Deer Camp Bypass and the Ostrander Lake Trail. It can be reached by running from Bridalveil Creek Campground along the Ghost Trail or by taking the Ostrander Lake Trail from Glacier Point Road.

As it departs the Ghost Forest to Deer Camp Bypass, the trail meanders through the evergreen forests found in this part of the park. The trail is fairly level for the first .6 miles before climbing gently from Bridalveil Creek up to the junction with the Ostrander Lake Trail. Flowering plants can be found along the trail in the spring while snow and ice can be found covering portions of the trail in the late fall as snow hides from the sun in the shadows of the forest. Animal tracks can be found along the trail, especially after a rainstorm or snowstorm.

The trail is a singletrack through the forest, which is no more than a foot wide in most places. There are a few places where downed trees cross the trail but they are easily overcome by climbing over them or running around. Around .6 miles, the trail becomes eroded as it weaves through the forest. Climbing gently uphill, the trail finally emerges in an open area where you have several options for continuing your run. You can take the Ostrander Lake Trail to the right and follow it as it climbs toward Ostrander Lake and the ski hut found there. If you take the Ostrander Lake Trail to the left, the trail heads back to Glacier Point Road where you can take the Ghost Trail back to the beginning of the Ostrander Lake Cutoff Trail.

Evidence of deer, bear, raccoons, coyotes, and rabbits can be seen along the trail, especially as it nears Bridalveil Creek where they go for water or for food. There are lots of evergreen trees throughout the trail, providing shade throughout.