This is an easily accessible hike perfect for a introductory snowshoe, or warm-up hike for the season. Being 4 miles long, this is a relatively fast hike to do while still giving great views surrounded by frozen ponds. Ridges and peaks rise up on either side of the trail creating the majestic scenery. We left the car at around 11:30 and finished by 2:30. However, we hiked around 5 miles instead of 4. The trail begins off a road which parallels the freeway. It was very crowded there with big groups of first-time snowshoers getting ready. At this point, the trail follows an access road for a while before coming on a trail head for Gold Creek. Keep in mind that Gold Creek Pond and Gold Creek Trail are not synonymous. On your left shortly after leaving the car, there is a turn off toward Gold Creek Pond. There is a short loop around this pond and that is where the majority of the crowds go. We did this extra loop in addition to The Gold Creek Trail to reach 5 miles in total. Going straight on the access road past gold creek pond, the number of snowshoers is substantially less. The access road weaves through private estate but clearly marked signs point towards the trail-head at all forks in the road. The entire access road is completely flat and very wide. Eventually, at the end of the road, there is a trail-head and the trail begins to climb. The trail meanders through patches of trees until you climb out into a huge talus slope. Here, there are stunning views of the ridges on either side. The trail crosses this slope which includes multiple snow-bridges over streams. The trail then enters more trees and the path narrows. There are more glimpses of the views on either side and the trail eventually becomes hard to follow and quite narrow. There is no clear ending to the trail. Overall, this was a nice snowshoe hike to get some exposure with the outdoors.

We have snow shoed here many times but this was our first hike. The park road has snow and is still easy to drive on it. Parking is available at the pond. Rest rooms are open but bring your own paper. The trail had snow and ice in some areas but was completely bare for much of the loop around the pond and easy to manage. Our dog enjoyed trying out his first snow boots in preparation for longer hikes in the future.

This short loop hike can entertain for an entire afternoon or provide a quick fix of nature and a nice picnic spot. The salmon are running NOW (October 11) (I assume they are Kokanee, but if someone knows different please say so). There are no signs suggesting that you look for them, but good views of the flashing and leaping red backs can be found from the bridge between the parking lot and the lake and in the channel that runs parallel to the trail before you get to the turnoff for the Gold Creek Trail. We were distressed to find a family methodically destroying a beaver dam in the channel; they thought this would help the salmon get up the channel to the lake. We asked them to stop because salmon spawn in the channel not the lake and the sudden release of water and sediment behind the dam could wash away and/or cover the eggs that were being laid just 20 feet downstream. Our pleas were in vain, as we came back later to find a channel through the dam. Aside from this, the perambulation of the pond brought many lovely views, which only got better as the golden light of late afternoon and the stillness of the water created perfect reflections. The picnic area was very busy with lots of shouting children, who were having a great time but it was not conducive to peaceful contemplation or sketching. Another hiker with his dog suggested we try a side trail to the main creek, where we enjoyed solitude on the gravel beach with views of the mountains (but no kokanee). A few other notes- the gravel road to the picnic area is full of potholes but passable in any passenger vehicle, Gold Creek Pond is also the trail head for the Gold Creek/Alaska Lake trail (the road to the alternate trail head is barricaded).

The trail all around is paved. It is great for kids and have a picnic overlooking the big pond. Also, there are views of the mountains looking to the north. I took my son and he had a blast walking around the pond and we had picnic by the picnic area.