Chauncey Peak at Crescent Lake

One of my favorite local hikes is Chauncey Peak at Crescent lake. It’s a loop trail that’s only a couple miles long. The beginning is a steep ascent (very steep – you need to be in good shape to hike the first part) to Chauncey Peak, then you walk along the ridge with Crescent Lake below you and a beautiful view in the distance. After walking along the ridge, you descend steeply (not as steeply as the ascent) down to the lake, and you walk back to the parking lot right along the lake, first on a rocky path, then on a pine-needle-laden path. Leashes are required for dogs; however, I’ve never had mine on the leash and no one has complained. Most people here have their dogs leashed.

I hiked this today after work, starting around 5 pm and ending around 6:30. It’s early spring here so no leaves yet, just buds. I prefer the look of this area when there are leaves as it turns a lush green, but it’s nice to see everything growing so rapidly, as you’ll see in some of the pictures. So without further ado, pictures. Pay attention to the captions.

Chauncey Peak at the top, the dam below Crescent Lake to the left.
Chauncey Peak at the top, the dam below Crescent Lake to the left.
You can go left or right. Left is steeper at first, the right is flatter, but they both end up leading to the same trail to the peak. I like the right trail.
You can go left or right. Left is steeper at first, the right is flatter, but they both end up leading to the same trail to the peak. I like the right trail.
Pretty flat at first...
Pretty flat at first…
Getting steeper...
Getting steeper…
Steeper still. Buddy taking a breather while Rigs plows ahead.
Steeper still. Buddy taking a breather while Rigs plows ahead.
Steeper...the rock face in the background is what you'll be climbing soon.
Steeper…the rock face in the background is what you’ll be climbing soon.
Looking back down the trail.
Looking back down the trail.
Last push, straight up the rocks up to the peak. Once at the top, take a right to enjoy the view.
Last push, straight up the rocks up to the peak. Once at the top, take a right to enjoy the view.
The view is worth it. The picture makes it seem lower than the peak really is. When you're done viewing, go back the way you came and continue along the ridge.
The view is worth it. The picture makes it seem lower than the peak really is. When you’re done viewing, go back the way you came and continue along the ridge.
I love the late afternoon sunlight.
I love the late afternoon sunlight.
There are some cool little parts of the trail, this part carving its way between boulders and rock.
There are some cool little parts of the trail, this part carving its way between boulders and rock.
If you veer right on the path after a bit, you can view the quarry.
If you veer right on the path after a bit, you can view the quarry.
Very cool scene.
Very cool scene.
Another view
Another view
This is what a lot of the trail looks like along the ridge. To the left is Crescent Lake.
This is what a lot of the trail looks like along the ridge. To the left is Crescent Lake.
There are several rocky overlooks along the ridge. Beautiful places to sit and enjoy the view below.
There are several rocky overlooks along the ridge. Beautiful places to sit and enjoy the view below.
Self-timer, poor lighting. And yes, I hiked the trail barefoot until the end. Terrible idea which I do not recommend. Much too rocky for bare feet.
Self-timer, poor lighting. And yes, I hiked the trail barefoot until the end. Terrible idea which I do not recommend. Much too rocky for bare feet.
Do you see all the different colors in this insect's shell? There's unbelievable beauty in even the smallest things. He was just hangin out there getting some sun. (actually you'll probably have to click on the full-size image and zoom in to really see the colors)
Do you see all the different colors in this insect’s shell? There’s unbelievable beauty in even the smallest things. He was just hangin out there getting some sun. (actually you’ll probably have to click on the full-size image and zoom in to really see the colors)
I love the spring. Everything is budding, growing.
I love the spring. Everything is budding, growing.
Amazing.
Amazing.
Those buds will be full-sized leaves in a few days.
Those buds will be full-sized leaves in a few days.
If you can see, Rigs is carrying a rock down the mountain. He has an unhealthy obsession with rocks. Very strange.
If you can see, Rigs is carrying a rock down the mountain. He has an unhealthy obsession with rocks. Very strange.
My favorite spot on the ridge. Beautiful itself, and a beautiful view.
My favorite spot on the ridge. Beautiful itself, and a beautiful view.
"Oh shit, don't wanna go down there!"
“Oh shit, don’t wanna go down there!”
Another view of the lake.
Another view of the lake.
Thousands of shards of light reflecting in all directions.
Thousands of shards of light reflecting in all directions.
Two pairs of ducks enjoying the cool water on a warm spring afternoon.
Two pairs of ducks enjoying the cool water on a warm spring afternoon.
Buddy enjoying the view of Crescent Lake.
Buddy enjoying the view of Crescent Lake.
Another view
Another view
...and another view, looking back the way I came.
…and another view, looking back the way I came.
The trail back down to ground level is steep, but not as steep as the ascent. Watch out for loose rocks.
The trail back down to ground level is steep, but not as steep as the ascent. Watch out for loose rocks.
A little flowing creek where the dogs can quench their thirst after the hike.
A little flowing creek where the dogs can quench their thirst after the hike.
And the view of what you just hiked from the lake's level.
And the view of what you just hiked from the lake’s level.
Another view.
Another view.
Another view. You can see the path, lakeside. I didn't take any pictures because I forgot to today, but on the right of this path you can see exposed tree roots with rocks embedded. Very cool.
Another view. You can see the path, lakeside. I didn’t take any pictures because I forgot to today, but on the right of this path you can see exposed tree roots with rocks embedded. Very cool.
Buddy fetching a stick I threw.
Buddy fetching a stick I threw.
The path forks, and I suggest you head left to stay close to the lake.
The path forks, and I suggest you head left to stay close to the lake.
Buddy likes sticks, and Rigs hilariously dives for rocks and makes little piles on shore.
Buddy likes sticks, and Rigs hilariously dives for rocks and makes little piles on shore.
Roots on the pine needle path next to the lake.
Roots on the pine needle path next to the lake.
I love the row of pines and the pine needle pathway at the end of this hike.
I love the row of pines and the pine needle pathway at the end of this hike.
And on my ride home, I had to stop and snap a pic of this field, lit by the setting sun. I love the long shadows and the soft light at the end of the day.
And on my ride home, I had to stop and snap a pic of this field, lit by the setting sun. I love the long shadows and the soft light at the end of the day.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures, and let me know if you’ve ever done this hike.

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