The informal trail/route around Long Lake starts at the 7km mark on the Lac du Bois Road and winds its way over to the end of the lake.

Long Lake sits in a basin between Mt. Wheeler and Batchelor Ridge in the middle grasslands.

In March and the first part of April, the grasses are just greening up, but sagebursh buttercups, spring beauties, yellow bells and an assortment of small flowers brighten the open slopes.

A few ponds are full of snowmelt in early spring.  The route follows the fenceline north into the Long Lake basin.

There are 3 lakes each side of Long Lake over 2.5 km.   We pass by 2 of the lakes on our approach to the south end of the lake.

A single track can be followed on the west side of Long Lake,

At the end of the lake we have to climb a fence (no barbed wires) and then we can follow a double track back down the east side of the lake.

On our hike we saw hundreds of Barrows golden eye ducks on the lake.   On the grassland slopes we heard meadowlarks and spotted killdeer, grouse,  and other grasslands birds.  Long Lake has a remote feel, hidden away from roads and the City.   If you go to Long Lake, come quietly so that the birds do not become alarmed (and fly off).   Come to enjoy the peaceful natural environment leaving nothing behind except faint traces of footprints.