Cleo’s Falls Hidden Pond

This particular trail and hike to this very hidden pond just 1 mile from Pinecrest lake is something that very few have ever seen.

I was once hiking to Pinecrest Peak and from an overlook on the mountain way above Cleo’s Baths you can look down and see what appears to be a hidden lake at the side of the steep mountain rock that towers and climbs behind Pinecrest lake. This lake or pond is just west of the bottom of waterfall below Cleo’s. It is located on the north side of the river so you must cross the river or trek all the way from the bridge and stay on the north side of the river that feeds Pinecrest lake.

We searched and found this pond that we had seen from the top which is about 1/8th-1/4 mile from the main Lake/Cleo’s trail at the base of the falls. How it got there or if it was used as part of the construction of the other lakes is not clear. Clearly the river’s path was engineered a few different ways in the past 100+ years and the river may have silted up this meadow. It appears that some years more water will flow into this area depending up on the route the river takes after the falls.

Directions: To find this hidden pond, take the Pinecrest Lake trail to the inlet and then walk up the Cleo’s bath trail from Pinecrest lake to the base of the falls, then back track about 1/8 mile toward Pinecrest. You will need to cross the river so this may only be possible once the snow melt and river is flowing low enough to safely cross.

Then head straight toward North and once you reach the step north wall of the canyon, you should be at the pond.

It is about 2.8 miles one way from the snack shack at Pinecrest Lake

Here is a Map to the pond:

On-line Map

Click on the map to get a full resolution map.

Cleoshiddenpondmap