White Pine Lake Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

If you are wanting to take the small trail around the backside of the lake, there are several trails that shoot off of the main one to get there, but probably the easiest way would be to take the faint trail that goes off to the left of the main trail before reaching the bridge that crosses White Pine Creek. This trail becomes more distinct as it goes around the backside of White Pine Lake, and then connects with the White Pine Lake Loop Trail on the northern side of the lake.

From the trailhead at the Tony Grove Lake parking lot, follow the signs leading to White Pine Lake. The trail initially ascends slowly through a sagebrush meadow with small groves of aspens and conifers throughout it. After less than a quarter of a mile, the trail splits off to the right (taking the trail to the left would take you to Mount Naomi, and it is well marked) and continues through forests and meadows with occasional views of the impressive Mount Magog.

After about 2 miles from the trailhead, the trail ascends a long switchback and then breaks out into a clearing with amazing views of Mount Gog, another spectacular alpine peak, and if you go in the fall this is also a great place to see some beautiful, brilliant fall colors down below Gog. At this point, the trail starts to descend rapidly down into the White Pine Lake Cirque.

At about 3.5 miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses a small bridge and then hits a trail junction at the sign that talks about the White Pine Lake Loop Trail and the White Pine-Bunchgrass Canyon Trail. The actual White Pine Lake Trail, instead of crossing the bridge, continues along the south side of the creek and eventually passes by the outlet of White Pine Lake and then follows the shores of the lake around to the north side of the lake where it meets up with the White Pine Lake Loop Trail again, where the trail ends.

Visitors will be treated to beautiful aspens in the fall, as well as other brilliant fall colors from other deciduous trees.