Schaefer Lake

Schaefer Lake sits in a cirque surrounded by the peaks of Chiwawa Ridge, a good-sized alpine lake that requires earning every foot of its 3,200 feet of elevation gain over 4.5 miles. The trail begins with the crux move: crossing the Chiwawa River, which runs cold and fast with snowmelt through midsummer. A natural log bridge may or may not be usable depending on the year and water levels. Water shoes and trekking poles are essential gear for this crossing. Do not attempt this trail before mid-July.

Beyond the river, the route enters old-growth forest where ancient cedars and Douglas firs form a cathedral canopy over the trail. Schaefer Creek gets its own substantial bridge, then the trail kicks up through steep switchbacks with eroded tread. Huckleberry bushes line the middle elevations, ripening through August. Little Schaefer, a small frog pond, appears just before the main lake.

This trail has a reputation for blowdowns and brush that discourages many hikers, and trip reports spanning years confirm the pattern. The Pomas Fire in summer 2025 closed Chiwawa River Road and surrounding trails; check current closure status before planning a trip. The trailhead sits near Finner Creek Campground at the end of 13 miles of pavement and 2 miles of unpaved road off Highway 207.