Stake Lake (Overlander Ski Club) has expanded its snowshoe trails and last year we did a loop along Cow Creek and Spruce Canyon, then up to Rattler Viewpoint , and back on a loop route around the lake.  We snowshoed the same route this year, following the Cow Creek Trail through the lodgepole pines.

The trail loops back into Spruce Canyon, a narrow gully below the Rattler Hill.    This is an interesting route that cross country skiers and hikers don’t see from the main trails.

A side trail winds up to the top of the hill at Rattler Viewpoint.    From there we had a view west to Chuwhels Mountain.

Our route returned to Stake Lake and we continued around the eastern shore for an 8.3 km snowshoe.

This is a highly recommended route and a favorite.   All photos by the author.   Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.

firs above Spruce Canyon

Spruce Canyon

Stake Lake

turkey vulture over the bluffs

grey jay

More Information:

• Spruce Canyon Video on Tiktok
• Spruce Canyon Snowshoe
• Overlander Ski Club Stake Lake Snowshoeing