Backpack to Coit Lake

This trail can be started from Coe Headquarters or Hunting Hollow Trailhead. The trail from Coe HQ is 2 miles longer, almost all elevation but provides beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. These directions will be starting from Coe HQ.

Follow the loop around the parking area to the backpackers parking during high season. If the park isn't busy you can park anywhere that isn't "20 minute parking". You can self-register at the iron horse, or go into the HQ to get a permit, you'll need to leave it in your car!

Take Manzanita Trail from the parking lot. This is an easy downhill walk for ~2 miles. Take this to Manzanita Point, and then turn down ____ and continue to a small pond, (and water source!) at China Hole. This will be at the base of the mountain surrounded by large rocks.

From China Hole continue along on Creekside Trail to Los Cruzeros. This is a campsite if you'd rather break the trip up into three days of walking! There is usually water here, but it's been low due to the drought recently.

Take Willow Ridge Trail up a the mountain from here. This is ~2.5 miles uphill. Near the end you'll pass the Willow Ridge campsites. There is a small man-made spring in one of the campsites where it's possible to get water, although these campsites lack the view that other options have.

This trail will reach Willow Ridge Road, a much larger path where you will take a right. From this point it is 5.2 miles slightly downhill. When you reach a small pond on the right, take the .3 mile path on the right directly to Coit Lake! This road goes past a bathroom, if you continue about 100 meters there is a path on the right up to a campground on a small hill above the lake, and several other campground spaces!

Check water levels on the park's website before heading out!

• On the way back it's possible to take Poverty Flat Road as a shorter route instead of going to China Hole. This path is VERY STEEP and long, so be ready for a calf workout!