Lake Bismarck via Little Spring

Trail DescriptionStarting off just beyond the gate, take this old road about 0.4 miles to an open prairie. Once there, make your way to a green oasis in the far right of this prairie (the trail branches at a Y, keep to the right). This prairie is excellent for a picnic and relaxing in the sun! Making your way to the far right lush greenery; you will pass a historic site/marker of cabins. Just beyond the marker you should see the Little Spring which is a small pond with a metal pipe running the water.

Continue beyond the spring where you will see a small single-track going off into the forest with a barricade next to it. Hike up the trail for about 0.4 miles through a cool aspen and spruce forest. This forest trail is the most difficult part with steep slope all the way to the top. Once at the top, you will see another trail/road joining from left, keep to the right. Upon this level area, you will come to a narrow prairie, starting to expose the mountain surroundings. Eventually you will come to the large park/opening which curves to the right. This destination exposes the Bismarck Lake and the stunning views of the San Francisco mountain.