Kelcema Lake Snowshoe

When the mountains are brimming with layer upon layer of decent snow, it's a great time to head out to the Mountain Loop Highway for a snowshoe. Tucked into the base of Mt. Baldy at the end of FR 4052, Kelcema Lake is a quiet alternative to the often bustling Big Four Ice Caves.

The snowshoe begins from the Deer Creek Sno-Park, following FR 4052 up a gentle grade and into the second generation forest. Your path is fairly straightforward. The road continues to climb while offering occasional glimpses of the forested ridges that surround you. You’ll cross a number of easily forded washouts as you work your way toward the lake. After about 3.5 miles you’ll reach a hairpin turn, signaling that you are nearing the trailhead. Continue onward and upward for another mile to the end of the road and the trailhead. The Kelcema Lake Trail #718 is signed, but if snow levels make it difficult to find, listen for Deer Creek and follow it the .4 mile into the Boulder River Wilderness and to the shores of Kelcema Lake.

Nestled in a bowl beneath Mt. Baldy and Devil’s Peak, it is not hard to imagine the area teeming with Boy Scouts. There is a rough trail around the lake, though sections can be difficult to navigate in the summer months. Find a good spot to settle down and enjoy the quiet before gearing up to head back. On your way out do a little exploring around the end of FR 4052 to find a view of nearby Big Four Mountain and Sperry Peak.

This is a great snowshoe for those looking to put in some distance rather than tromp through the backcountry. The snow makes the hike down four miles of forest road a lot more fun and you’re likely to have the icy lake all to yourself. With relatively little elevation gain, this is also a good area for young or novice snowshoers - even if you don’t make it to Lake Kalcema, it’s still a pleasant tromp in the woods.

History

According to local lore, Kelcema Lake was named by an early homesteader in honor of his three daughters, Kelly, Cecilia and Mary - Kel-Ce-Ma. With the Marten Creek Mine just over the ridge, the area has a rich mining history. More recently however, it was home to Boy Scout Camp Kelcema, from 1922 to 1944. Situated on the eastern shore, the camp was eventually quite extensive, with a lodge, quite a few cabins, and a makeshift dock. Scouts would spend their time climbing nearby peaks, swimming in the lake, and enjoying the pristine setting. It was renamed camp Mathews in 1944, and a few years later it was shut down entirely as the Scouts decided to consolidate summer camps. The buildings suffered from vandalism and disrepair until the Forest Service burned it down in 1966. Since that time, the lake has remained a popular, as the short .4 mile walk to the lakeshore from the road made it a summer destination for adventurers of all ages. More recently however, fallen trees and washouts have blocked the road and significantly lengthened the trek to the lake.