Virginia Lakes Trail

Distance: 8 miles

Difficulty: moderate to hard

Driving toward Virginia Lakes.

This is a beautiful hike. I chose to hike around Virginia Lakes in early October to catch the fall colors. It was a perfect time to be there!

The drive down Virginia Lakes Road is scenic. Get to the trailhead early, because the parking lot isn’t all that big. You’ll park your car extremely close to Big Valley Lake – it’s a stunning alpine lake, and easily accessible. If you backtrack from the parking lot, you’ll find Trumbull Lake off the north side of the road, and Little Valley Lake off the south side.

After spending some time at the first lake, head out on the trail. This part is shaded and in the woods, so bring bug spray.

Right off the parking lot.

It won’t be long before you reach yet another lake – Blue Lake. The trail splits here at a wilderness area sign. Left lefts you explore the lake, and right continues on the trail. The left trail will eventually meet back up, so picking either trail works.

The trail gradually climbs up, and after about 1.25 miles, you’ll hit a third lake. Cooney Lake was definitely my favorite. I saw the most people at the parking lot lakes, but the crowds thinned considerably after. I had this lake to myself for some time.

“My” spot.

The trees will become fewer and fewer after this point, so a hat or sunscreen is recommended.

Frog Lakes appear at 1.5 miles, and those are the last of the lakes before starting a climb.

It gets a little steep, but never too tiring. The trail does become more rocky, rather than the sand from the early parts of the trail.

There was too much snow just before the ridge when I hiked it, so I only made it 2.5 miles in. I had an amazing view over the entire Virginia Lakes area from my turnaround point, and I could even see out to the 395 corridor.

Typical ex-gymnast.

If you keep going over the ridge, the trail goes down for 1.5 before meeting up with another trail. If you wish to continue, a left at this point will take you to Summit Lake, and a right will bring you to Hoover Lakes. Otherwise, go back the way you came.

This trail seemed to be very popular with fishermen. I saw very few people after the second lake, so be prepared for some peace and quiet.