Crescent Lake Trail

This short out-and-back packs a surprising amount of alpine beauty into less than a mile each way. From the trailhead, you'll climb gently through a mix of red fir and lodgepole pine, with the elevation gain so gradual you'll barely notice it — think a few flights of stairs spread over the whole hike. The trail opens into subalpine meadows where wildflowers carpet the ground in midsummer, and then Crescent Lake appears: a jewel-toned alpine pool tucked into a granite bowl, perfectly shaped like its namesake. The water is startlingly clear and cold enough to make you gasp if you dip your toes. Because this trail sits in the less-trafficked Kings Canyon backcountry, you may have the shoreline entirely to yourself on a weekday. This is the ideal hike for anyone who wants a legitimate alpine lake experience without committing to a full day on the trail.