Short hike to a stunning alpine lake with the amenities of day-use or overnight kayak and cabin rentals at Angora Lakes Resort.

The Angora Lakes are a pair of calm alpine lakes tucked at the foot of steep, craggy mountains. The Angora Lakes Resort is located here, with rustic cabins for overnight stays or amenities for a casual day trip. The sunny, sandy beach at Upper Angora Lake and the granite cliffs on its far shore make a spectacular setting for swimming or paddling. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for rent, plus snacks and drinks for sale. 

Two trailheads provide a longer and shorter version of the hike. The shorter option is the choice for most, beginning from the gate on Angora Ridge Road. Simply walk the dirt road (closed to public vehicles) from there to Angora Lakes, just over half a mile away. On the hike, you will enjoy the shade of large coniferous trees and views of imposing, rocky slopes overhead. The slight uphill ensures you’ll work up enough sweat in the summer to enjoy a cool dip when you reach the lake.

The lower trailhead is at Fallen Leaf Chapel on Fallen Leaf Road. This adds a steep mile to the approach to the lakes. This is a narrow trail instead of a road, but it's not highly traveled. It definitely won't be crowded, but may be overgrown and have a loose surface in places. It meets with the road where the typical, shorter version of the hike begins. In the winter when Angora Ridge Road and the resort are closed, the lower trailhead is the closest option for a hike or snowshoe to the lakes.

Sources:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/?recid=11803
https://angoralakesresort.com/ Written by Jesse Weber

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Angora Lakes Trail

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