california glacial lake lake located northern california west mount peak outlet lake drains reservoir nearly lake acres trails lead adjacent area including trails fishing camping hiking available near lake natural history surrounding area contain wide variety animals plants including trout bears deer frogs area known early summer displays flowers including red lily home affiliated uses site study teach courses conjunction recreation lake usually reached driving approximately road lake road site historic late 19th century resort based mineral springs resort number popular resorts including short hiking trail leads nearby falls nearly granite cliff face forming clear pool quarter mile north lake fishing viewing local plant life wildlife scenery common activities lake waters cool swimming generally limited summer months available lake winter addition cross country skiing snow trails area lake ice ice fishing common activity parking area lake half mile trail winds northern western shore lake ending granite face forms southern shore way pass following eastern shore little castle lake trail leaves parking area climbs adjoining ridge trail small glacial reached passing meadows wild flowers early summer little heart lake small located reached informal cut little trail point known scenic trail half mile away scenic trail stretches mexico canada following highest portion paralleling pacific_ocean miles little castle lake trail continues bradley locally prominent mountain views mount overlooking california canyon way trail joins network connections leading formation lake origins date years ago carved basin location current lake era north_america typical lake reaching depths near southern face terminal gravel forming natural dam opposite face northeastern shore lake outlet lake feet deep found classic highest mountain began form south southwest mountain sloped downward northeast away prevailing winds resulting shaded area sheltered direct sun effects wind conditions encouraged snow fallen winter remain summer fall creating year round snow pack grew deeper year initial glacial formation snow changed glacial ice year round snow pack increased deepened process followed hollow slope enlarged freeze glacial erosion hollow enlarged filled snow ice rock debris till contained glacial ice began bedrock surface glacial ice moved slope effect bedrock eventually hollow took shape large bowl mountain constant freezing eroded basin deeper especially base continued eroded current warming period began retreated finally melted completely left bowl shape deepest base glacial ice deepest bowl shape extended northeast edge terminal smaller rocks debris deposited bowl shaped crater filled water terminal acted natural dam helping contain water newly formed lake history range tribe number small tribes native americans closely related adjacent larger tribe occupied territory near including nearby present day cities mount california upper canyon areas speakers older speaking family languages archaeological sites associated range dating years members tribe speaking family languages arrived central years ago competing language family neighbors expanding territory unclear time contact non native americans 1820s tribe living nearest little information available native american use beliefs example mentioned published collection tales legends non native americans pass area hunters began come trail present day washington mexican controlled california late 1820s early 1830s search beaver bearing animals time young led group americans trail passing near overland party scientists came area following annexation california united_states result came control public land area near known site battle native americans settlers poet wrote hand account battle battle castle miller took fight received arrow wound cheek jaw battle reportedly battle native americans settlers native americans fought exclusively bow arrow development forest reserve system late 19th century organization early 20th century came association began extensive study lake followed construction castle lake research station animal life humans introduced fish lake 1930s sport fishing including rainbow trout brook trout golden trout released recreational fish ceased concern species threatened endangered brook originally stocked self sustaining naturally springs found eastern lake golden bait fish likely placed lake left remaining bait lake fish feed insects fish eaten predators lake especially birds area include bald eagle golden eagle falcon wood duck jay reptiles amphibians lake including rough skinned frog snake feed insects young fish prey mammals found lake adjacent wilderness area national forest include black bear deer river black tailed mountain lion known castle lake occasion known bushes watch humans eyes shining attacks noted plant life lake elevation surrounding areas local tree line example nearby mount tree line high concentration granite exposed steep rocky slopes vegetation lake area vary widely dense mixed forest near lake appearance near alpine conditions lake area lake mixed forests pine red fir white fir pine cedar found play particularly important role establish nitrogen fixing bacteria converts atmospheric nitrogen soil utilised favorably soil fertility generally benefit plants growing near taking nitrogen air soil usable form fallen leaves rich exists small locations slopes lake deciduous trees lower elevations area include species maple vine maple black oak pacific higher elevations lake especially rocky exposed locations pine fir tree forests thinner trees grow fashion instead shrubs bushes green dwarf mountain tan oak find areas grow best known plant life area nearby meadow displays alpine sub alpine flowers early summer include wood rose red crimson scarlet tiger lily lily pine drops douglas scarlet alpine dwarf alpine alpine swamp lily cool wet spots near lake appear
Castle Lake (California)