LIttle Soda Lake

 It has everything...forests, sage, water features, meadows, wildflowers, mountain vistas. See the post on Lowline-Spring Creek Park  and Chambers Bay for more trail options from the same trailhead.  Be aware there are cattle milling about from June through September. 

(click on any photo for enlarged images.  Some photos courtesy of Teisha Preece)

Little Soda Lake, May 10, 2017

Directions from Pinedale.  It's about 7 miles on a dirt/gravel road. This route from Google shows driving all the way to Little Soda.  Between the trailhead and Little Soda Lake is really only suitable for 4 wheelers. Don't attempt driving it with a trailer.  Ride it instead.  Keep in mind that Soda Lake is a protected wildlife Habitat area and not open to the public until May 1.

This is a herd of draft horses by Soda Lake.  You may pass them on your drive in.  They are used in the winter to pull sleds to feed the elk herd that winters here.  This area is owned and managed by Wyoming Fish and Game.

The lower circle is where we have parked in the past. (We call it #2)  It is now a camp spot with a cement fire grate. We still park there if it's empty.  The upper circle is the usual place to park. (We call it #3)  There is a "turn around" before the gate where up to three rigs can park. There is also plenty of room to park just inside the cattle guard if the gate is open and no one has commandeered it for a camp spot.  

This is a parking spot just before #2.  It is also a campspot. Call it #1. 

This track was done on May 10, 2017.  About 7.2 miles.  Min. altitude=7,507'; Max. altitude=7,802';  Trail conditions were muddy and some snow, but also much dry ground.  30% rocky, 70% dirt, grass.  

This is NOT Little Soda, but a "pond" named "Mud Lake".

Mud Lake...still a nice water feature, May 10

A view of Mud Lake on July 22, 2017

Mud Lake, May 20, 2020

Meadow just before Little Soda Lake, May 20, 2020

There was some snow on May 10, 2017

Spectacular view of Fremont Lake, May 10

One of the water features on May 10, 2017 that disappeared later in the season.  This is also a landmark (the aspens) where the trails separate.  One goes to Chambers Bay (straight up) and the other the Lowline Trail (to the left.)

Another water feature that we had to ride right through on May 10.

One of the "mini meadows".  This particular one was knee deep in water in May, 2017, but was clear in July.  I named it "Dead Elk Meadow".

Little Soda Lake, May 13, 2019

Heading back by Mud Lake after seeing Little Soda Lake.

Another view of Fremont Lake from a little lower location.

Little No Name pond on the way to the east side of Little Soda.

View of Little Soda from the east side.

(Update:  May 22, 2019-The Fremont Ridge and connector portion of that trail system has been "unofficially" cleared.This part is not an "official" trail that the Forest Service wants maintained.   However, I will give one landmark hint---"Little Carved Bear".)



The track above begins at #2 (or #1) park spot and goes on the Fremont Ridge portion, loops back by Little Soda and Mud Lake and back up.  A really nice loop.

May 13, 2019, still some snow.

Aspens just budding...May 20, 2020

Entering the "Black Forest"  May 20, 2020

The photos below show the boundary fence/gate just out of parking spot #1.   The first is the "old" barb wire gate.  The next one was taken in September, 2019 just after the "new" bright, shiny green gate was installed.