Crumbaugh Lake

Overview

Crumbaugh Lake is a small, meadow-fringed gem reached by an easy walk that starts at Kings Creek Picnic Area. It’s a low-effort, high-reward stop that pairs nicely with a peek at nearby Cold Boiling Lake and, if you’re feeling energetic, an extension to Bumpass Hell.

Route at a Glance

• Start: Kings Creek Picnic Area (around 7,400 feet).
• Distance: About 1.3 miles one way to Crumbaugh Lake (2.6 miles round-trip).
• Trail notes: Fairly level to Cold Boiling Lake at roughly 0.8 miles, then a gentle descent through broad meadows to reach Crumbaugh Lake.

What You’ll See

Expect big, open meadows, segments of fir forest, and a serene lakeshore backed by a mosaic of green regrowth and burn-scarred slopes from recent fire years. Early summer often means wildflowers (think lupine and paintbrush) and active meadows. Wildlife shows up here too—birdlife, deer sign, and, on occasion, bear scat near the lake. In strong years, California tortoiseshell butterflies can be abundant along the route.

The Hydrothermal Teaser

Cold Boiling Lake isn’t truly “boiling.” What you’ll see are gentle, localized bubbles from escaping gas—interesting but subtle. It’s a nice prelude to the much more dramatic thermal activity at Bumpass Hell further up the trail.

Best Time to Visit

• Season: Early to mid-summer is prime for flowers, wet meadows, and butterfly action.
• Time of day: Arrive early on weekends to snag parking and enjoy quieter meadows.
• Crowds: This approach is often less busy than the main Bumpass Hell lot, but popular days still fill.

Practicalities

There are vault toilets at the Kings Creek Picnic Area trailhead; there are no facilities at the lake itself. Expect wet, sometimes muddy sections after snowmelt and bring insect repellent in summer. Sun protection helps—post-fire openness means limited shade in places.

Extend Your Hike

If you’ve got more gas in the tank, continue past Crumbaugh Lake toward Bumpass Hell. From Kings Creek, the out-and-back to Bumpass Hell is about 5.2 miles total, with some narrow tread on a steep hillside near the basin.

Safety and Etiquette

Stay on signed trails, especially near hydrothermal features. Be bear-aware, give wildlife space, and keep groups reasonable (the park limits large day-hiking groups). Pack out everything you bring in.