Butte Lake to Snag Lake Trail (East)

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Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Butte Lake to Snag Lake Trail (East) is found at a trailhead sign at the east side of the Butte Lake parking area. The trail starts off flat heading east on the grass dotted with pines along the lakeshore. However very soon the trail enters forest and climbs to a great overlook at the 0.65 mile mark. From this overlook the trail drops very steeply to Butte Creek, the seasonal outlet of Butte Lake, and crosses this creek.

After crossing the creek and passing a picnic table, pick up Butte Lake to Snag Lake Trail (East) as it follows the lake's shoreline. For the next 1.4 miles the trail is wooded as it runs right along the shoreline. The views to the west across Butte Lake are awesome - Prospect Peak, Cinder Cone, and Lassen Peak, as well as the Fantastic Lava Beds -the islands in the lake and far shoreline.

At the 2.2 mile mark Butte Lake is left behind and the Widow Lake to Snag Lake Trail junction is passed. Stay to the right (west) here to continue on Butte Lake to Snag Lake Trail (East). For the next 2.8 miles the trail is in beautiful fir forest. Flat at first, it climbs over a forested hill starting at the 2.5 mile mark. Reaching the hill top at the 4.2 mile mark, the trail descends and Snag Lake comes into view ahead, through the trees.

Snag Lake is reached at the 5.0 mile mark and continuing in the forest, Butte Lake to Snag Lake Trail (East) runs along Snag Lake's east side, very close to the lake in places, and further away to avoid wet areas in other places. Although further away, Prospect Peak, Cinder Cone, and the Fantastic Lava Beds can all be seen to the north-northwest across Snag Lake. Snag Lake also has some nice beaches here on its east side.

Butte Lake to Snag Lake Trail (East) veers away from Snag Lake at the 6.6 mile mark and ends about a quarter mile later at a trail junction with Juniper Lake to Snag Lake Trail.

Beautiful pine forest with low ground cover. Wildflowers. Shy deer as evidenced by their tracks.