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Cross-Country Routes

Several use trails and cross-country routes in the Castle Peak backcountry provide numerous diversions. About 0.8 mile before Warren Lake, a use trail leaves the Warren Lake Trail at a low ridge, northbound for Devils Oven Lake. From there, cross-country routes proceed to Warren and Paradise Lakes. A fine loop trip returns to the trailhead by heading west from Paradise Lake on a jeep road for 1.1 miles and then following the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) south for 8.3 miles.

Peak baggers may be tempted by a route that exits the use trail to Devils Oven Lake a short distance from the junction with the Warren Lake Trail and then ascends Basin Peak. Following a use trail along the crest of the ridge between Basin and Castle Peaks may also be rewarding. From the summit of Castle Peak, proceed along the west ridge to a connection with the PCT at Castle Pass (see ssss1).

Frog Lake from overlook

From the Donner Lake Rim Trail junction to Summit Lake ssss1, head north on a steep climb up a forested hill toward the top of a volcanic ridge directly west of Peak 7,888. Before you reach the top, the forest gives way to shrub-covered slopes, which allows for fine views of the surrounding terrain. Beyond this point the stiff ascent temporarily abates as you stroll through a clearing and drop to a crossing of a tributary of South Fork Prosser Creek. All too soon you resume the steep climb toward a saddle just west of Peak 8,653, hopping over several more small creeks on the way. Nearing the saddle, a short use trail branches away from Warren Lake Trail and ascends rocky slopes to the top of this peak. Standing at the edge of Frog Lake Cliff, ssss1 you have a dramatic view straight down into privately owned Frog Lake, as well as west toward Castle Peak and east to the distant Carson Range.