Trail Ending: 10,250 ft. Edelman Trail, junction at Emerald Lake.

Attractions and Considerations: This route makes it feasible for travelers to take extended pack trips from Shell Ranger Station to Paintrock Lakes. The trail is not completely marked on the topo maps.

Narrative: The route starts at the Boulder Basin Road junction with Adelaide Trail #57. It then follows this road until it crosses Buckley and Shell Creek. After crossing the creeks, it climbs away from the road along the southwest bak of Shell Creek to Shell Lakes. From there it changes over to the north shore at Shell Lake and continues to the Lakes of the Rough. The trail again switches to the southern bank between the Lakes of the Rough and ascends to Emerald Lake and the Edelman Trail #25.

Directions: From US Hwy. 14, 23.7 miles from US Hwy. 14 on Forest Road #610. Road head and sign on left side of road.

Elevation: 9,320 feet

Ending Elevation: 9,560 feet

Elevation Gain: 240 feet

Distance: 6.1 miles

Usage: Moderate

Difficulty: Strenuous

Visitor Information