BALL AND PYRAMID LAKES TRAIL (#43)  
Access:
Road 417 (Westside Road) to Road 634. See Trail 13 restrictions.
Cumulative elevation loss/gain:
800 feet
Route length:
2 miles (one way)
Difficulty:
Moderate
Restrictions:
No motorized use.
USGS Quad(s): Pyramid Peak
Google Earth view of this and nearby trails (trail locations shown in Google Earth are approximate)
Comments:
Part of the West Bonners Ferry trail system. The trailhead (elevation 5920 ft) is 1/2 mile along Trail 13. A registration box intended for upper Trout Creek area users is located at this junction. It is a short trail offering quick access to Pyramid and both Ball Lakes. A good day hike or extended camping trip for the family. The trail winds through spruce and alpine fir at a gentle grade. Bridges cross numerous creeks and seasonal drainages along the trail. At 3/4 mile the trail approaches Pyramid Lake at its outlet. The hour glass shaped lake is set in a sub-alpine cirque with head-wall and scree field on the southwest side. Trail 43 crosses the bridge at the outlet, then switchbacks into a steep, rugged ascent from the Pyramid Lake bowl. After reaching the top of the head-wall at the 1 1/4 mile the trail takes a short, less steep pitch through stunted trees and boulder strewn meadow to a trail junction. The right hand trail leads 100 yds to the upper Ball Lake (elevation 6708 ft). The left fork leads 1/2 mile down to the lower Ball Lake. Both Ball Lakes sit at the base of another huge granite head-wall with large scree fields desending to
their edges.
More information contact: Bonners Ferry Ranger District
Click on a trail or trail number for information about the other trails on this map
|
|
