Waterdog Trail is one of the most intimidating hikes you can do walking from downtown Lake City because it is steep the whole way up. HOWEVER, there is a seldom hiked trail that is much more manageable that is more of a traversal. You can drive up 149 and park at a well disguised trial head that will put you on Horse Park Trail. This trail is gorgeous and leads to the same place as the Waterdog Trail. Rather than hiking back to your car you can also hike down Waterdog trail back to Lake City and get a friend to drive you back to your car later after you have had a burger and a beer.
This is now one of my favorite hikes close to town. My phone died and so I do not have exact distances for you but I would say it is about 4.5 miles to waterdog lake and then 4 miles down to Lake City. I took my youngest on this one who is 7 and that means most everybody reading this can also handle this hike. This is an excellent day hike with some spectacular views. It is one of the few great hikes that is accessible directly off the highway.
We did not see anybody all day. It is wild how often I hike out here on an outrageously beautiful trail and get the whole thing to myself (and my children). The benefits of being the most remote county are real.
We did have one surprise encounter. When we came up on the last stretch to the lake which is an old 4×4 road overgrown with trees, we caught a whiff of something pungent. I had some ideas on what it might be but I was shocked when we encountered a giant dead moose blocking the path. Seemed like it had died from living a full life in the ideal location. Not sad. Just the circle of life in its raw form. I love the kids getting exposed to that sort of reality in its natural state. I did not put it in the video but thought I would recount it here anyways.
I usually run music in these videos but this one I just loved the natural background sounds of nature and the kids funny commentary so much that I had to use the original audio.
Other sidenote… I did not actually get more than a few casts in. We were more excited about the water bugs. I may go back by myself to do some real fishing. Also, I think it would have been better to bring a full reel given the size of the lake instead of the tenkara I usually hike with.
