The pristine beauty of a high-alpine lake was once being spoiled by campers, hikers and horsemen who proved to be less-than-polite visitors.
The land around small Lonesome Lake was often littered with trash, trees were randomly cut for firewood and trails were stomped into the fragile environment.
But that was decades ago, before the loose-knit Lonesome Lake Preservation Group was formed. The association of mostly-Greenwater residents has made great strides on a shoestring budget, using small cash contributions, donations of materials and volunteer labor to protect the jewel on Forest Service land. The crystal clear spot of water sits at 5,000 feet above sea level.
“People were just trashing the lake,” said Scott Archibald, who has been with the Lonesome Lake Preservation Group for 20 years of the group’s 30-year existence.
During the past couple of decades, he said, members have put in a vault toilet, worked to enhance vegetation around the lake, developed campsites and carved out formal trails. Two years ago, the footings were poured for a picnic shelter; all the necessary lumber has been purchased and the group is now working on funding for a metal roof. About $10,000 has been put into all the improvements.
“It’s a labor of love,” Archibald said.
The upgrades have not come without formal approval. Before attempting anything, Greenwater residents approached the Forest Service, asking if they could adopt the lake and make improvements. The request was granted and, better still, the Forest Service agreed to provide some needed materials.
The Lonesome Lake Preservation Group was established and earned nonprofit, tax-exempt status.
Lonesome Lake isn’t a place people will simply stumble upon. It’s a 15-mile drive on the USFS 75 Road – a gravel surface – which takes off from state Route 410 about four miles past Greenwater.

All invited to cookoff, potluck and horseshoes Saturday
The Lonesome Lake Preservation Group will host its seventh annual campfire cook-off and potluck Saturday at the Greenwater Community Center.
There’s no entry fee to compete in the cook-off, but participants are asked to provide their own wood. Categories include breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert. Creativity is encouraged and cooking pits open at noon. Judging will take place between 4 and 6 p.m.
A horseshoe tournament has been added this year and will get rolling at noon. There’s a $5 entry fee and half the total pot will go to the winner, with the other half reserved for improvement projects at Lonesome Lake.
As another fundraiser, raffle tickets will be sold for a gas barbecue.