State Lakes Loop

Overview

The State Lakes Loop is a really beautiful excursion off the Simpson Meadow Trail in the Monarch Divide. Lower State Lake is breathtaking and peaceful with easy access to the off-trail state lakes. It's a beautiful swim with lots of rocks to launch from so you avoid stirring up the muck. Upper State Lake is nice, but brings to mind a giant puddle. After the Upper Lake, the trail can be easy to lose in the rocks so pay attention. <br><br>Be very careful in the creek crossings during wet years. The second crossing, right before you start to climb toward the lower lake, is particularly sketchy in the wet season.<br><br>Nearby Horseshoe Lakes is an excellent launching point for a cross-country trip to Lakes Basin and the original John Muir Trail route.<br><br>Check out the photos here for tips to find the abandoned Shorty's Cabin below lower State Lake.

Trail Stats

Photos

Some lodge pole pines and granite along the trail.

Some lodge pole pines and granite along the trail.

Lower State Lake.

Lower State Lake.

The remaining trunk of a dead lodge pole pine with a "candlelight" marks where the trail begins to climb.

The remaining trunk of a dead lodge pole pine with a "candlelight" marks where the trail begins to climb.

This is sometimes a meadow and sometimes a swamp.

This is sometimes a meadow and sometimes a swamp.

Upper State Lake with Dougherty Peak in the background.

Upper State Lake with Dougherty Peak in the background.

Dry creek bed "flowing" out of Upper State Lake; this is where the trail becomes easy to lose.

Dry creek bed "flowing" out of Upper State Lake; this is where the trail becomes easy to lose.

Right after the State Lakes junction.

Right after the State Lakes junction.

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