Deep Creek, Noble Knob, Greenwater and Echo Lakes, Greenwater Trail to Lost Lakes, Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek & White River — Tuesday, Jul. 5, 2022

Quick trip report for a 30 mile loop I completed using the trails above.

Started from the Corral Pass Road TH about a mile off 410.  Road is gravel but in good shape.  There is some foliage encroaching on the road the last half mile.  TH has no facilities and room for a handful of vehicles.

Hopped on the White River trail for about half a mile and then began the initial climb of the loop up Deep Creek Trail.  This trail passes through quite a bit of burn zone.  It has some rough patches, blowdowns to navigate and no water sources.  It is snow free at this time.  Of note, lots of exposure here so it will be warm when the temps rise.

After the big climb, I took a right no Noble Knob Trail towards Corral Pass.  This trail is in good shape and does have two small water sources at this time.  I believe one will be around into the summer.  Snow free as well.  

At Corral Pass (nice new TH facilities), I hopped on the Greenwater Lakes trail.  This continues to pass through burn zone as you switchback down to Hidden Lake.  Water sources here but also more blowdowns, some very muddy sections and bridges out over creeks. The tread is a bit beat up as well.  However, once you pass Hidden Lake, you enter a non burned zone and the trail improves greatly.  Still quite a few blowdowns to negotiate though.

Followed this down to Echo Lake where I stumbled up what looks like the remains of a hunting camp (yes, some assumption there) but it's a giant canvas tent that has broken down but still has a stove, dutch oven, sleeping cot, sleeping bag and other odds and ends in it. Surprised someone would leave that equipment up there so I am sure there is a story behind it.

Continued on down, going through another burn zone but then the last four miles is a lush green forest.  Only obstacles remain blowdowns.  At the junction with the Lost Lake Trail, I turned left and began the climb up that valley.

This trail has been logged out within the last year or so and is in great shape.  Almost missed Quinn Lake but it's worth the side trip.  Amazing aquamarine color!  Lost Lake is a beautiful spot, lots of camping sites.  The trail past Lost Lake gets a bit rougher and I began to encounter snow here.  It's in short patches though and it's easy to stay on the proper path.  A step bit of climbing and you break out of the treeline and start to see some vistas that show just how much forest the fire claimed.

A nice traverse across an exposed meadow below Noble Knob and I was back on the Noble Knob Trail.  Some snow patches in a bowl to get around here and I think they will be around for another ten days or so.  Again, the trail is easy to follow though.

I then hopped on the Ranger Creek Trail and made the long descent towards the White River.  This trail is in great shape and has a couple water sources up high. These were the first I encountered since passing Lost Lake.  At the bottom, I hung a left on the White River and finished out the journey.

Really interesting loop and going from burn zone to untouched forest was really something to behold.   Lots of camping options at the lakes.