Shriner Lake Trail via Tanglefoot Trailhead is a 3.5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Pioneer, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Please note that driving directions using a gps may not work. Please follow directions listed below to locate Tanglefoot Trailhead. Turn south off of Highway 88 at the Bear River Reservoir Road. Travel approximately 4.5 miles, go left on Road 08N14. Before reaching Cole Creek Campground, take a left (still on Road 08N14), and continue to a large turnaround which is preferred for stock trailers. The trailhead is an additional 1/4 mile.
October 5, 2020Great hike. I did this with my wife and my 5 year old, we had a blast. The lake is stunning and surprisingly deep. There was one other car parked at the trailhead but we never did encounter the other hikers. We took a small SUV without 4wd to the trailhead; I would not recommend taking a sedan to the trail, there are several spots where a small vehicle could bottom out.
August 14, 2020Took my fiancé on this trail for her first backpacking trip. She did not complain so that was good. Trail is easy, lake is nice.
June 12, 2020We hiked to Shriner but continued on above the ridge East and down into the canyon viewing Cole Creek and making our way to Tanglefoot Trail. There was not a trail but I had downloaded the map so we were able to get to Tanglefoot and out. 9.9 miles. Mostly scampering over tress and climbing across granite. It is beautiful in the canyon areas.
October 15, 2019Easy hike with minimal elevation. Small rocky parts but overall good dirt trail. Not great for scenic views but the lake at the end is well worth it. Trail is mostly shaded the whole way. Parked a bit before the trailhead and ended up being approx. 4.5 miles.
August 25, 2019Lots of shade! Great hike and very quiet - we only encountered one other couple on a Saturday morning.
August 24, 2019This is a great in-and-out trail that leads to a beautiful scenic lake. We saw a black bear on our drive in but he quickly ran off. The scenery is beautiful with lots of wildflowers.
August 24, 2019The trail is in great shape. The first section is up hill and then it gets very easy. The trail is super easy to follow. The lake is beautiful with clear water. The campsite is small. You can put up two tents and a hammock easily. I hiked around the lake and there were plenty of places to hang a single hammock. It was very warm during the day and for down into the 40s at night. Driving in, you will see the road sign for the Tangle Foot Trail 4 miles to the left. Once you get down the road about 4 miles you will see another small metal sign for the Tangle Foot Trail Head. Take that left spur road down past the sign about 1/4 mile and you'll come to the parking lot. The trail head is right there. Note that I went out to Shriner Lake and hiked back to the fork in the trail. Then headed down the fork to Moraine lake and out. The trail to Moraine lake is hard. About 3 miles from the split and you go down about 1000 feet to go back up about 900 feet to the lake.
July 28, 2019We loved this 4 mile in and out hike with our dog today. Incredibly pretty wildflowers, ferns, aspens, dragonflies and lake views. Water was warm. Best to bring water shoes. We saw no other humans and it was so very quiet. Take Highway 88 to Bear River Road. Go about 4 miles. You will see a sign that says "Cole Creek Campground" and "Bear River Group Campground." Turn left and follow the road for a little over 3 miles. You will come to a sign on the right that says "Cole Creek Campground" and "Tanglefoot Trailhead." Turn right and follow the road a little over 3 and half miles to the Cole Creek Campground. Turn left on the road and follow it about 3.4 miles. You'll come to a sign that says "Tanglefoot TH" and drive another 1/4 mile (or slightly less) and park. The trail is really well marked. GPS coordinates are 38°31'03.3"N 120°10'54.0"W.
July 6, 2019Lovely, easy hike. Definitely take your shoes off and wiggle your toes in the water, or go for a swim. However, the directions are not very clear. Try this instead: Turn south off of Highway 88 at the Bear River Reservoir Road. Travel approximately 4.5 miles, go left at sign to Cole Creek (marker on opposite side of road indicates it is 08N14). Keep your eyes open for the sign for Tanglefoot Trailhead on your left. It will be another 4 miles to the trail head.
June 29, 2019
First to ReviewThis is a good starter hike, our young daughter's first backpacking trip in the early 2000's. There is ~400' of elevation gain over 1.75 miles. The first ~1/2 mile of the hike goes through an area burned in the 2004 Power Fire. The cedars are recovering with a lot of aspen coming in. A short section of the hike is in full sun but you are mostly in shade. The hardest part is the long drive to the trailhead. On this day, June 29, 2019 there was no snow and one tree over the trail. We saw several Mountain Gartersnakes including one swimming in the lake.
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