Cougar Crest Trailhead (parking fee area)

Easy trail with some moderately difficult parts. The challenge was going uphill, and breathing due to the elevation gain. There are beautiful viewpoints that overlook the lake perfect to take a rest and pictures.

The trailhead is located off North Shore Drive (Route 38) and there is a good size loop type parking lot. In the parking lot you will find a standard, single-vault toilet, which was in pretty good shape today as well as an informative interpretive guide bulletin board. The trail itself is 4.8 miles (out & back), with an elevation gain of 816 feet and takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must always be on a lease. As we discovered, the higher you go, the b

The hike is amazing. Try to go all the way to Bertha peak if you can. The bathroom was locked the day we went.