Waterhouse lake-trip planning

I'm looking to head out to waterhouse lake in maybe 3 weeks from today and was just curious if anyone had ever been out there? If anyone knows the area at all I could use some help picking a route out to it. At first I was thinking about just going from pinecrest and hiking up to Cleo's bath (Been there many a times so I know it well) and then follow the canyon up to it. But, after realizing that Craptree road goes out there a good way I was curious as to if anyone ever hikes it from that side, or if anyone ever goes from Herring creek and down in from the north side. To me it looks like for a day trip going to cleos and following the canyon up would be a lot of fun but I am planning on doing an overnight trip so that means bringing a pack so I was thinking taking off from Crabtree road trail head might be the best.


What do you guys think any suggetions or advice on the area?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2014 10:46PM by randomsteve95370.

The most popular route (and I do mean popular) is from the Herring Creek Road.

This lake gets TONS of traffic, and i doubt that you will find unspoiled wilderness when you get there. More likely a few beer cans and other trash.

But The hike down the creek from there to Cleo's is one that we have considered. Might be fun!

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interesting I didn't know it was a lake that was visited all that often. Being that I was having a hard time finding any trails/blog posts about the lake and how to get there I was assuming that people didn't make it up there very often. I am also surprised that people make it to the lake from the north side. Looking at the maps it looks like the north side has some very large steep mountains. Would you happen to know if there is an actual trail heading out from the north side down? Or do people just pick their way down the hill?

I don't know how bad the road out to herring creek is so Im a little hesitant to take off that way being that I only have a 2 wheel drive car as of right now. It does fine with dirt roads and stuff it just can't do any big ruts, deep mud, or anything that would require the clearance of a truck or 4 wheel. If anyone has been out Herring creek this year I would love to hear the road conditions. But looking at where the trail is and such im thinking about going out crabtree road to gianelle camp and hiking to it from there.

http://www.hillmap.com/m/ag1zfmhpbGxtYXAtaGRychULEghTYXZlZE1hcBiAgIDA3Nv0CAw

What do you think about that marked out trail? Again I have never been to that side of Burst rock so I don't know how do able it will be. Looking at the Topo I would think walking that ridge down would be the easiest but you never know especially with granite ridges. As far as how popular it is would you say that its as popular as places like Bear, Camp, Sword and Lost lakes? As of right now I am thinking about going out there the 18th and 19th of July which would be a friday and Saturday 3 weeks from now.

I've been to Waterhouse L. with my boys. It's a great first BP trip. Its all downhill to the lake and your packs are lighter for the way out. Since it's so close it can get crowded. If it's too crowded, go up to small Adele L. There's a nice jumping rock there. As far as the road goes, we used my wife's Volvo with no problem. That was about 15 yrs ago.

Adele? Would that be the smallish lake up on the ridge to the East of waterhouse? Its sounding like its a bit to busy for my liking so I may just run up there for a day hike in a week or so.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2014 10:07AM by randomsteve95370.

That sounds like a very good plan

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Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963