🌲🐸 If you’re reading this review, do your part to keep this lake pristine and quiet.
Toad Lake is a pristine mountain lake accessible only via a long, rough, and rocky single lane dirt road (Toad Lake Road 40N64). Take this road only is you have a 4x4 or AWD vehicle with suitable clearance and are comfortable driving on such mountain roads, there are very few places to turn around. The road is very rough, so expect to bounce around for about 1.5 hours while traveling at an average speed of 5mph. There are several unmarked forks while driving in - be sure to stay on the road that looks the smoothest and you’ll make it there fine. At the end of the road is a small parking lot with an information sign that sits at the trailhead to the lake. A short 15 minute hike (it would be hard to bring an ice chest) takes you the lake, where there is 2 picnic tables and a fire pit. DO NOT USE THE FIRE PIT - fires are not allowed and it is an illegal fire ring. Bring a gas stove to heat your food instead. The lake itself is small and surrounded with life! Beautiful flowers are everywhere. This is a very fragile ecosystem so please tread carefully. Be respectful to nature and your fellow campers. When we were there, there were four other groups dispersed camping around the lake. Sound carries very easily, so normal level conversations can be heard all the way across the lake. Please be quiet and conscious while you are here. There are no bear boxes, so make sure you bring a bear canister to keep your food (and the bears) safe. We carried one of our inflatable kayaks up the trail and to the lake. It was difficult but well worth it, it was such a peaceful ride. I would love to go back to Toad Lake. I highly recommend it, but only if you have a sturdy vehicle and are willing to keep this place pristine.
