Bottleneck Lake Trail #187

Dogs Leashed

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

Bottleneck Lake Trail is found at a well marked trail junction, at the 1.5 mile mark along Snow Lake Trail #185. Follow the arrow for Bottleneck Lake.

Bottleneck Lake Trail is a forest trail that climbs gradually from beginning to end. Switchbacks make the going quite comfortable. As the trail climbs the views get better and better.

After turning off of Snow Lake Trail #185, the first switchback is reached after only 0.3 miles. With the Snow Creek valley dropping off to the right/east, there are nice views of the forested far side of the valley along this stretch. Making a U-turn to the left at the switchback, the trail heads south, eventually leaving these views behind.

A small creek is crossed at the 1.1 mile mark. About a quarter mile later the high switchbacks begin. Lasting about another 0.6 miles, this is a particularly scenic stretch of the trail. The steep hillside being climbed, drops off to the northeast, providing great views of the forested valleys and rugged mountains into the far distance. Nearby peaks also rise up to the northwest.

After the last switchback, the climbs eases as the trail heads to Bottleneck Lake. A wet grassy area on the east side of the lake is passed as the lake comes into view. Bottleneck Peak, 6,782 ft., and rocky ridges rise up across the lake. The trail veers right/west and passes side trails to the left. These side trails lead to the shoreline. Continuing on, the trail reaches the lake's northwest banks, where it ends.

Conifer forest with dense undergrowth. Summer wildflowers. Deer live here.