Distance: 4 mile loop           Elevation Gain:  524 feet

Riser Lake is another local favorite for after work or early in the spring since it is one of the first trails to melt out.  It also makes a nice quick run if you’re headed back to the West Side.  The trail is well worn, but is not marked.

From the Riser Lake Parking Area, head left out of the parking lot onto the obvious trail.  Take your first left and head downhill where the trail splits at about .1 miles from the parking lot.  Follow the single track trail down, up a short hill and then down steeply next to a fence line.  At the bottom of this hill, at mile 1.5, take a right on the doubletrack trail.  Follow this gentle double track through the sagebrush land for another 1.5 miles.  The next junction can be hard to see the first time you do this loop.  After passing a yurt high up on the hillside on your left, the doubletrack will continue up a steep hill.  You, however, should turn right into a draw that heads off to the right and back towards one o’clock, wrapping around past Riser Lake and to the parking lot at mile 4.

For a longer outing, head across the street from the parking lot and make a round trip up and down Lewis Butte.

Driving Directions: From Cascades Outdoor Store in downtown Winthrop, turn left at the stop sign and go .6 miles.  Turn right on the West Chewuch Rd and follow it for .9 miles.  At that point turn left on the Rendezvous Road (dirt), follow it for 1 mile before turning left on Gunn Ranch Rd.  Follow Gunn Ranch for .8 miles.  Turn left through a gate into the parking lot or park on the road.

For trail info, gear, or to pick up a map stop in to Cascades Outdoor Store. We look forward to seeing you before or after hitting the trail!

cascadesoutdoor@gmail.com 509-996-3480