The hike to Campbell and Cliff Lakes offers a beautiful journey through the Marble Mountain Wilderness including green forests, meadows, streams, and of course stunning alpine lakes and mountains. This is a great overnight trip as there are a handful of good campsites at both Campbell and Cliff Lakes.
Begin by making your way to the Shackleford Trailhead. Although accessible via passenger car, the gravel road to the trailhead is fairly rough and will require slow driving.
The trail begins by gently climbing uphill and parallels Shackleford Creek for the first stretch. Multiple small streams cross the trail, so there is no shortage of drinking water as long as you have a filter.
Around the 2.7 mile mark the trail comes to a junction. Choose whichever way you wish, but it’s recommended veering left on what is now the Campbell Lake Loop (you’ll later return the other way). This trail ascends more steeply as it nears Campbell Lake, just over a mile away.
As you walk past the shores of Campbell Lake continue heading straight past the junction for Summit Lake (another great hike) and toward Cliff Lake. The trail again gains elevation until it comes out at beautiful Cliff Lake. Here you’ll walk alongside the lake and eventually come to two very nice campsites that can host a handful of backpackers.
The trail dead ends at the second campsite. After enjoying your stay at Cliff Lake, and perhaps a swim, then return back down the trail to Campbell Lake. This time take a left when you reach the main junction and follow the Campbell Lake Trail as it descends to a beautiful meadow area. Take a right on the Shackleford Creek Trail, continue past Log Lake, and descend until you soon find yourself back on a familiar trail and headed toward the trailhead.
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