Basics
- Location:
- 6.5 miles east of Kamas on Hwy 150
- Length:
- 3.5 miles oneway
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Elevation Change:
- 1600 feet
- Season:
- May to October
Description
This is a short trail system that provides a route from the Mirror Lake Highway to Yellowpine and Castle Lakes by way of a steep, scenic canyon. The lower three miles of trail are a good choice for an early season ride or hike.
Details
Location:
6.5 miles east of Kamas on Hwy 150
Length:
3.5 miles oneway
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Elevation Change:
1600
Season:
May to October
Useful Map(s):
USGS Quad: Hoyt Peak
Additional Details:
Moderate use early in the season, heavy use during the deer hunt in October, but light use during midsummer. The trail from the bottom of the canyon to Yellowpine Lakes is well-marked and easy to follow, but the fork leading to Castle Lake is obscure in places. These trails climb steadily their entire length. Hikers with low-clearance vehicles may choose to park their cars and begin hiking here. .Map Corrections: (See ROG Trails Atlas) The Yellowpine Creek Trail follows the west side of Yellowpine Creek for the first 1/2 mile, not the east side as shown on the USGS and Forest Service maps. .The trail proceeds north on the west side of the creek, and crosses it three times in the first three miles. At three miles up the trail forks: the left fork leads to Yellowpine Lakes, while the right fork climbs steeply up a draw leading to Castle Lake. At the forks of the trail, the USGS map shows the left fork running to the Yellowpine Lakes, and the right fork proceeding north over a pass and into Box Canyon. The left fork is shown correctly, but the right fork bears more to the east than shown, passing south of Castle Peak and terminating at Castle Lake. The trail into Box Canyon no longer exists. Trail users should be aware that permitted livestock graze in this area.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
A road sign marks the beginning of the trail, located 6.5 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway (U-150). A dirt road proceeds northeast for about 1/2 mile to the beginning of the hiking trail.
