Length: 14.8 Mile Loop
Elevation Change: 2100' Elevation gain / 200' loss
Season: Mid-Summer thru Fall
Difficulty: Difficult due to length
Permit: NW Forest Pass Required
Features:
The Hike to Sheep Lake via Nannie Ridge begins just east of the
campground at Walupt Lake. The trail is very steep at first and
gains about 2000' in the first 2 miles. Most of the first 2
miles is in dense forest with very few views.
At about 2 miles the trail passes over the crest of a spur
ridge of Nannie Ridge and one can hike directly to the top
of Nannie Peak from this point. However, you continue to
follow Trail #98 to go to Sheep Lake or the junction to the
Pacific Crest Trail #2000.
After passing the crest of the ridge, the trail drops a couple
hundred feet in elevation as it follows Nannie Ridge to the
northeast. From this point on you will be presented with
many fabulous vistas. In season the trail is lined with a
wonderful display of wildflowers.
At 4 miles you will come over the crest of a small ridge
and Sheep Lake will be directly below you. Keep you eye
open for mountain goats. I have seen many over the years
in the Goat Rock Wilderness, and even though I didn't see
any on my hike to Sheep Lake, signs of them were all around.
Sheep Lake is in a beautiful setting, regardless of what
season you have chosen to hike here. This hike is well
worth the effort.
There is an alternative return hike available. If you
continue on past Sheep Lake, you will come to the PCT #2000.
Bear right on the trail and follow it back south toward
for about 5 miles where you will intersect Trail #101.
You can follow this trail back to the parking area where
you began the hike. It is about 4.5 miles from the PCT to
the parking lot at Walupt Lake.
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