Ring Lake
Date: August 3rd, 2026
Distance: 19km, 700m
There are several deep washboards on the road getting up to Callaghan Lake. I made it up in a Subaru Forester, but anything with lower clearance would likely not clear it.
The trail starts just below the Callaghan Lake car campground.
The first km of trail is brushy and muddy. The trail then opens up and you can follow an FSR road all the way to the Journeyman Lodge. There is a trail running parallel to the road, but being in bear country it seemed wise to be in more open terrain.
After the Journeyman Lodge you end up back on a marshy trail. The views in the meadows here are very beautiful, but be prepared for lots of mud.
The creek crossing was not challenging at this time of year, but does require getting your feet wet. I always recommend keeping your shoes on and just walking through the creek instead of trying to stay dry and rock hop across. The rocks in the creek here are very slippery.
After the creek crossing the trail ascends steeply through muddy bogs and forest before opening up to the alpine views of Ring Lake and Ring Mountain. Ring Mountain, an old volcano, reminded me of South Sister in Bend, Oregon. Ring Lake is beautiful and I went for a quick swim. I hope to go back with an earlier start to attempt Callaghan Mountain.
There was a bear attack in this area this summer. Be sure to carry bear spray and make noise when traveling along the trail. If camping carry a bear canister to store all scented items.
