Fishing:
8/10
Hiking:
7/10
Scenery:
8/10
Solitude:
5/10
Distance:
5.5 mi 1-
way
Map:
Elevation Profile 1:
Gallery:
See a short video of this lake
(1).
HalfHalf MoonMoon LakeLake -- (El(El DoradoDorado County)County)
DesolationDesolation WildernessWilderness
July 14, 2016
GettingGetting ThereThere
We chose to approach Half Moon Lake from the Glen Alpine trailhead near Lily
Lake. We turned onto Fallen Leaf Road from Highway 89 and drove all the way to
the Glen Alpine trailhead. While there are many parking spaces at the trailhead
parking lot, it is a very popular trailhead so expect to see people and be prepared
to park down the road if the trailhead parking lot is full.
TheThe HikeHike
The hike starts out as a moderate climb with intermittent periods of shade. You will
pass the historic Glen Alpine Springs area where a couple of old buildings still
stand. There is an old road leading up to this point. After that, expect some mild
uphill trail hiking until you reach the switchbacks. Soon you will find yourself
exposed to the sun for much of the way as the trail climbs and switches back up the
mountain side. When you reach the outlet creek from Gilmore Lake you will be only
a few yards from the first important sign post. When you reach the sign post for
Gilmore Lake, stay to the right and follow the trail until you reach the next sign
post. This is post is a four way intersection which clearly marks the direction
towards Half Moon Lake.
The last leg of the hike after the four way intersection is easy hiking through a
forested area until you break out of the woods and drop down into the lake basin.
You will know you are getting close when you start seeing some small ponds on
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See a short video of this lake
(2).
See a short video of this lake
(3).
the left and right.
TheThe FishingFishing
The High Sierra fishing at Half Moon Lake is excellent as there appears to be many
fish in the lake. It only took a few minutes for us to catch our first Brook Trout and
the action did not slow down after that. While we landed most of the fish, we lost a
few before they reached shore.
We tried fishing the lake with Panther Martins but had no luck. The fly fishing was
difficult due to trees and rocks close to shore which hampered my back casting. I
attempted to fly fish the area near our camp site but had many trees and bushes to
contend with. I hooked more pine trees and Alder brush than I did fish. The fish
seemed to be just to the left or right of where I had casting access. I did have one
fish hooked using a yellow Humpy but he shook my hook and got away. On the way
out I noticed some better areas to back cast on the far east side.
All of the fish we brought in were caught using Night Crawlers. We landed ten fish
ranging from 11-13 inches but did not see any fish larger than that. I wouldn't be
surprised to see a 16 or 18 inch fish come out of this lake though. We kept some fish
to eat and they were very tasty. In all, Half Moon Lake looks to be sustaining nicely
with many fish rising in the evening and morning. Although we found a camp site
on the north shore, the south and west shores looked like they had much better
camping spots and the fly fishing would be a lot easier on those sides. I
recommend hiking around the north shore along the trail and then breaking left
between Alta Morris Lake and Half Moon Lake to find good camping areas.
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