Name: Lost Creek Way Trail
Rating: 4.0

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The usual federal wilderness area regulations and restrictions apply here. There may also be additional wilderness-specific restrictions in force; check with the district office if in doubt. Practice Leave No Trace (LNT) backcountry skills and ethics. Camp 100 feet from fragile areas; bury human waste at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. This trail is usually closed by snow from November to June. Both FR 3651 and 3659 are used by snowmobiles in winter.

Description

This trail appeared on U.S. Geological Survey maps as late as 1985 but has since been delisted by the Forest Service. But it is still maintained (mainly by hunters) and is in regular use as a quick way to access the PCT and the Blue Lakes Basin from the east.

Forest Road 3651 leads north from State Highway 140 to the Cold Springs Trailhead. Forest Road 3959 goes west from Forest Road 3651 about 1.6-miles south of the trailhead. The Lost Creek Way Trail leaves Forest Road 3659 about 1.3 miles from Forest Road 365-where 3659 makes a tight hairpin turn to the north. There is parking here for 3 to 4 cars but no other amenities (there is a pit toilet at the Cold Springs Trailhead).

From the road, this clearly-defined trail heads west through forest, past Center Lake, to arrive at the Badger Lake Trail #3759 (formerly the Long Lake trail #3758) in 1.5 miles. From this junction, you can go north to the PCT and Island Lake or south to Long Lake.