The Sierra wilderness nobody talks about, with granite platforms built for jumping into a small, deep alpine lake.
Sword Lake has granite platforms lining the shore, built for jumping, and you might have it entirely to yourself on a weekday. From the County Line Trailhead, a brief steep climb crosses into the wilderness before the trail settles into a long, gradual downhill through wildflower meadows to the lake. Permit is free and takes five minutes at the ranger station on your way in.
Start: County Line Trailhead (Clark Fork Road)
End: County Line Trailhead (Clark Fork Road)
Water: Clark Fork throughout, Sword Lake
A brief, steep climb right out of the trailhead carries you into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. From there the trail settles into a long, gradual downhill through meadows that fill with wildflowers in July and August, before dropping you at Sword Lake. The hike in is short, often under two hours, so there is plenty of time to find a campsite with an existing fire ring and get in a swim before dinner.
Water: Sword Lake, Clark Fork
Spend the morning jumping off the granite platforms that line the lakeshore, checking depth before you commit. Retrace your steps back to the trailhead; the return climbs more than it descends, reversing yesterday's downhill.
Continue to Iceberg Lake (2mi further, more remote). Boulder Creek drainage for fishing.
Take Hwy 108 to Pinecrest to pick up your free permit at the Summit Ranger Station (if you reach Strawberry you have gone too far). Continue past Beardsley Lake to Clark's Fork Road, cross two bridges, then follow Forest Route 6N06 to the County Line Trailhead at the end of the road, about 30 minutes on well-maintained dirt road. Clark Fork Road opens after snowmelt, typically late June. Small trailhead parking. Nearest services in Dardanelle or Kennedy Meadows (Stanislaus, not the PCT one).
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