Pete Ott Lake Trail

The Pete Ott Lake Trail would make an excellent addition to your Clearwater National Forest hiking itinerary. This beautiful route explores dense mixed woodlands, exhibiting a diversity of flora and fauna before plunging down into the hidden oasis. Yielding tranquility, you will likely have the path all to yourself. Don’t forget your swimsuit and towel; the natural pool is inviting! Note the trail GPS may prove useful in navigating the final leg of the hike.

Your adventure begins from the Flat Mountain Trailhead. Setting out from here, you will be guided northward along the forested ridge above Ring Lake—though you will likely not enjoy views of this gorgeous pool! Minding your footing on the rocks and roots that obstruct the path, you will eventually confront an intersection. Here, veer right, and you will be diverted onto the Elizabeth Mountain Trail. Soon after diverting off the Flat Mountain Trail, you will reach yet another junction. Here you can veer left onto Ice Lake, keep straight towards Elizabeth Mountain, or right down to Pete Ott Lake.

Keeping right, you will wander down into the forested basin where you will find the idyllic lake. Notice the logs that sit at the bottom of the crystalline lake and revel in the grandeur of the forested cliffs that encircle that pool. When you are through admiring the scenery, retrace your footing back to the trailhead