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Take a trip through the fragrant Teanaway forest, along a burbling creek, and up to a large lake, where equestrians, ORVers, mountain bikers, and hikers can all enjoy the majestic scenery.
From the De Roux trailhead, hop on the Boulder - De Roux trail and enjoy the hike alongside De Roux Creek. The trail starts out flat, crossing a large, sturdy bridge and wandering alongside the creek, but soon begins to climb.
Continue 1.3 miles before arriving at a junction. To the left is signed “De Roux Spur 1392.1”. This trail leads to Koppen Mountain, and offers a slightly more direct way to the continuation of the Boulder-De Roux trail, which connects, appropriately, De Roux Creek to further west Boulder Creek.
But your way is the right hand trail, signed for “Gallagher Head Lake”. It’s a mile and a half of steady climbing here, as you go from 4080 feet to 5520 feet. Climb through the signature forest of the Teanaway alongside De Roux Creek as it becomes ever more dramatic, complete with crashing rapids and waterfalls. Top out at a creek crossing that takes some balance (or at least a set of trekking poles) to make it across dry.
From here, it’s relatively smooth sailing through a gorgeous river valley, complete with three established campsites with creek access. Please use the currently existing ones and do not create new sites. After three-quarters of a mile of meadow wandering the trail gets back down to business, beginning to climb away from the creek. One major switchback, and you’re at Gallagher Head Lake.
Expect company here. The lake is also accessible via an ORV road and a couple of campsites make it one of the only places ORVers can enjoy the beauty of the Teanaway.
Trailhead
