Trail Overview
Cliff Lake Trail is a short, scenic route designed specifically for 50-inch ATVs and dirt bikes, offering riders direct access to a stunning alpine lake with excellent fishing. Despite appearing wide enough for larger rigs or SxSs, this trail is strictly limited to narrower off-road vehicles. Spanning about 0.35 miles, the route features a mild elevation gain of around 57 feet, with elevation hovering between 8,894 and 8,939 feet. The trail itself is rated an easy 3 out of 10, characterized by a relatively level and manageable dirt surface that poses minimal technical challenges for riders once they reach the area.
Accessing this remote trail requires navigating more difficult terrain, as it sits at the top of the McKelvey Lake Trail near Mine Lake. Riders must traverse harder surrounding routes such as the McKelvey Lake four-wheel-drive trail, the Kid Mountain Loop, or the Table Mountain Trail, all of which demand more advanced riding skills and preparation. While Cliff Lake Trail itself is brief and straightforward, the journey to get there is an adventure in its own right, making it a rewarding alpine destination for offroaders seeking to combine a challenging approach with a peaceful mountain lake.
Difficulty
The trail is very easy, especially on a dirt bike, although the trails to access this short section are much harder. This includes the McKelvey Lake trail (Jeep Trail), the Kid Mountain Loop (ATV/Dirt bike), or Table Mountain trail (Dirt bike) all of which are fun, but much harder trails.
