Frog Lake Overlook
Photos Maps Summary: A fantastic viewpoint of the Donner Pass region awaits at the top of Peak 8653 and the edge of Frog Lake Cliff in the proposed Castle Peak Wilderness. Multiple viewpoints of Castle Peak and a hillside filled with arrowleaf balsamroot and Mule's Ear are other highlights of this moderate climb to the viewpoint. Also included with this description is a short side-trip to Summit Lake. Since the trail is on the southern side of the slopes, I would expect the snow to disappear a little earlier than normal at this elevation. However, if you decide to continue to Warren Lake you'll be forfeiting the aspect advantage.Distance: 7.30 miles totalElevation Gain/Loss: 1,590' totalSeason: July to mid-OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikersFinding the Trailhead: 39.33917 N, 120.34295 W (PCT Trailhead). Take exit #176 (Boreal) from I-80 near Donner Pass and turn south to drive to Bunny Hill Drive. Turn left (east) onto Bunny Hill Drive and follow it for ~0.3 miles to the PCT Trailhead parking loop. The trail begins off the southeastern end of the parking loop.
The Hike: The hike begins in a forest of white firs and lodgepole and western white pines. Stay right at the two junctions with the Glacier Meadow Loop. At ~0.4 miles a shallow pond is passed before reaching a junction of the PCT near a meadow. Turn left (north) and follow the PCT along the western end of the meadow toward I-80. At ~0.7 miles the trail passes under I-80 in a couple of culverts. Continue by climbing slightly to a four-way junction at ~0.9 miles. Turn right (for Summit and Warren Lakes) and follow the trail as it climbs at a moderate slope through patches of mixed forest and open areas of granite to the northeast. At ~1.6 miles the Summit Lake Trail junction is reached just after passing a small meadow. We recommend saving Summit Lake for after the climb up to the overlook.Staying left at the junction, the Warren Lake/Frog Lake Overlook trail climbs steeply up through the mixed forest to a volcanic ridge immediately west of Peak 7888. Take a short side-trip to this peak for some great views of the surroundings. The trail continues to climb steeply from here and passes in and out of a few treed and meadow stretches before leveling out temporarily to cross a tributary of South Fork Prosser Creek. At the crossing, monkeyflowers and alpine lilies can be found. The steep climb continues after the creek crossing as the trail makes its way up to a saddle immediately west of Peak 8653. Below the saddle is a beautiful open area with loads of arrowleaf balsamroot and Mule's Ear as well as views to the south and Castle Peak to the west. At the saddle is a four-way junction (~3.0 miles). Use-trails lead to the left and right. The left trail leads along the ridge towards Castle Peak and the right leads to the top of Peak 8653 and the edge of Frog Lake Cliff. The right trail leads to the fantastic overlook in ~0.1 miles. Sit down and enjoy the view over privately-owned Frog Lake and in just about any other direction for that matter. Castle Peak is directly west and Northstar is visible to the southeast.
Once you are ready to leave the views get back on the main trail and retrace your steps down to the Summit Lake Trail junction. For those looking for more miles, continue northwest on the main trail for ~3.5 miles from the four-way junction and reach Warren Lake. Back at the Summit Lake Trail junction, follow Summit Lake Trail east through some open sections before descending back into the forest to the southern shore of Summit Lake (~0.55 miles from the trail intersection). Summit Lake isn't terribly scenic, but it is pretty. Once you are ready, retrace your steps to the trail junction and then the trailhead.