Westwoods Loop 1 – Lost Lake Vista

General Description: Loop #1 begins with an easy hike on the white circle trail leading to the Lost Lake Vista, a large and flat rock ledge that is a favorite picnic spot with a beautiful view of the lake. Coming back you’ll retrace your steps on the white circle trail and detour on two large loops of the white square trail. The white square trail is a moderate hiking trail that hugs along Lost Lake with beautiful views, more picnic opportunities and a chance to explore an old quarry.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate with some occasionally steep up and down hiking along and through rocky areas.

Weather considerations: A few areas may be muddy if there has been recent rain.

Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours

Sights: Lost Lake vistas, evidence of quarry activities, tree growing between a split rock – our Westwoods emblem. Many picnic spots on rock outcroppings with a view of Lost Lake.

Hiking Narrative:

Park and begin your hike at the Sam Hill Road entrance (entrance #3), at the corner of Sam Hill Road and route 146.

  1. Hike along white circle. White circle will parallel the rail road tracks for awhile.
  2. Stay on white circle as orange circle branches off to the right.
  3. Stay on white circle as there are white square intersections to right and left.
  4. Hike down a hill and as white circle bends to the right you will see a couple of unmarked trails.
  5. Continue over a 2-plank bridge. Just after the bridge, note a capped off well to your right that was used by quarry workers. If you explore the area behind the well you’ll find stones used as foundations for quarry buildings.
  6. Past the 2-plank bridge, stay on the white circle as the white square branches to the left.
  7. Cross another bridge and note the old stone wall. White circle curves to the left and will climb a hill.
  8. Continue on white circle as white square branches to the left. Continue climbing a hill and at the top of the hill to your right and off the trail you will see a tree growing between a split rock – the emblem of Westwoods.
  9. Hike down hill and travel along white circle for awhile. White circle goes down to a valley after passing 2 orange x trail intersections.
  10. Stay right on white circle as white square branches left.
  11. Travel uphill to Lost Lake Vista. This is the northern end of Loop #1. Enjoy the view before heading back!
  12. Heading back, you’ll retrace your steps for a short while going south on white circle.
  13. Take a right on white square which hugs along Lost Lake.
  14. As the white square trail reaches lake level there is a small rock outcropping on your right with broken shells in the ground nearby. This is likely where Indians harvested shellfish.
  15. Continue on white square trail as it parallels the lake.
  16. White square crosses the marsh with a plank bridge towards the end of the crossing.
  17. Take a right on white circle and travel back on the bridge with the old stone wall.
  18. Stay right on white circle as white square trail continues straight.
  19. Take a right on white square as white circle trail goes left. (This is near the location of the capped well.) Continue uphill on white square trail. As you approach the top of the hill begin looking for evidence of rock carvings – remnants of quarry laborers having fun. At least a couple of the rock carvings are visible along the white square trail and close together. Hint: One carving along the trail offers a respite with a view of the lake. To locate some of the carvings, you’ll have to explore off the trail a bit.
  20. Leaving the rock carving area, white square trail takes you lakeside before climbing up a large rock. Continue on the white square as it parallels the lake with some up and down hiking.
  21. Take a right on white square trail upon reaching a T-intersection of white square trails.
  22. White square trail makes a left turn and goes uphill. Note the large rectangular rock to your right – evidence of quarry activity.
  23. Take a right on white circle and continue right on white circle as orange circle trail branches to the left.
  24. Continue on white circle as it parallels the rail road tracks leading to the Sam Hill Road entrance and parking area.