High Creek Lake and Canyon

High Creek Canyon is in the heart of the Mount Naomi Wilderness Area. It is one half of the Mount Naomi Peak National Recreation Trail, with the other half ending at Tony Grove Lake. The trailhead is located above Cove, Utah on the border of Utah and Idaho. There are three different trails that start at the trailhead. Soon after beginning on this trail the Middle Fork Trail will also break off. If you are ever confused just stick to the south. You will know you took the right trail from the parking lot when you see the Mount Naomi National Recreation Trail sign. The first couple miles here are shaded and full of flowers. You will always be close to High Creek which is beautiful and is a raging torrent in the spring. You will soon see the Middle Fork Trail go off to the left. There is a large cascade worth seeing a couple miles up this trail if you have the energy. There are several crude bridges that help you keep your feet dry. Be sure to only have one person at a time on the bridges because they are getting old. The trail will pass through several beautiful aspen groves. At the very end of the shaded section you will come to some small abandoned beaver ponds. Up to this point, the trail has steadily climbed over 1,000 feet. After the ponds the trail gets very steep. Many stop in the meadows after the ponds because it can be very strenuous. After the ponds you will pass through a series of very large and open meadows with waterfalls seen all over the place. Be sure to keep your eyes out for Moose since they are common in this area. This is the biggest waterfall visible off in the distance. From these meadows you get amazing views of the huge Cherry Peak which rises 2,500 feet above the beaver ponds. Its north face is a very impressive set of cliffs several hundred feet high. Soon there will be a 25 foot waterfall right on the trail that is worth a couple minutes to rest. As you circle around Cherry Peak the views change a lot of the surrounding cliffs and this area is very steep. Soon you will see an unnamed peak high above you. The lake is located on a shelf below this peak. There are more waterfalls all around and you can always hear the beautiful sound of running water. The trail gets even steeper from here as you climb the shelf toward the lake. Be sure to look behind you at the meadows you just climbed through. The trail will begin to switchback up the shelf on the final ascent to the lake. High Creek Lake is a gorgeous spot to relax for a while and is far less crowded than the more popular Tony Grove, and White Pine Lakes nearby. Don't waste your time with a fishing pole. There are no fish but there are many salamanders. Many people will turn around here but it is worth your time to continue on to the ridge above the south end of the lake. It's another 200-foot climb but gives awesome views of the east side of Cherry Peak. Once at the ridge you get great views of the huge cliffs above High Creek Lake. You can easily summit Cherry Peak from here, set up a shuttle at Tony Grove lake, or simply return the way you came. Cherry Peak is the 3rd highest officially named and fourth highest unofficial peak in the range. If you go to Cherry Peak you can also set up a shuttle and finish through Cherry Creek Canyon ending at the Cherry Peak Ski Resort.