Is Clear Lake Road open?
South Mineral Rd ↔ Clear Lake · 11,990′ · Challenging 4WD. Typically open June 20 to October 15.
A steady set of switchbacks off the South Mineral road climbs to Clear Lake, a startlingly blue tarn in a cirque at nearly 12,000′. Rocky but manageable for most high-clearance 4WDs.
Highlights
- Clear Lake — one of the prettiest road-accessible lakes in the state
- Waterfalls along lower Mineral Creek
- Columbine-filled meadows in early summer
History & lore
- The road climbs to a cirque lake at nearly 12,000 feet, fed by snowmelt off the Ice Lake peaks.
Live status, recent trail reports, the interactive map, and elevation profile load below.