Hiking along Gunlock Lake

The lake is a wonderful place to hike as there are dirt roads and paths along the eastern side of the water. It’s a pleasure to walk these trails as the entire surrounding area is quite scenic. You’ll be glad that you decided to take a camera as there is so much to see in the area. Perhaps you catch a glimpse of the white herons as we did.

The surrounding mountains are comprised of a redish orange sandstone along with igneous rock left over from the long ago days of the volcanoes. This spring as you hike you'll find variety of green colored desert plants and a scattering of blooming wildflowers due to the recent winter snows and spring rains.

While hiking make sure to take in the walk along the earthen dam on the lake’s south end. As you walk along the dam’s top you’ll be amazed as you look the the winding valley below the dam where the road trails into the distance and the various mountain bases converge to shape this valley. The overflow of the dam forms a small river that snakes back and forth as it feeds the surrounding trees and grasses.

As you gaze to the north towards the village of Gunlock you will witness the blue waters of the lake which extends for a mile. On a calm day the lake reflects like a mirror.