A nice alternative way to hike in to Big Slide Lake. Big Slide Lake is a small, scenic lake nestled in a secluded part of the Bull of the Woods Wilderness. Take the Pansy Lake Trail, take the short spur to Pansy Lake, and continue on the trail, bypassing the junction with the Bull of the Woods Trail. Reach a saddle and a junction with the Mother Lode Trail and turn left. Follow a ridgeline, pass a viewpoint for Mount Jefferson, and reach a junction with the eastern end of the Bull of the Woods Trail (you can return on this trail for a change of scenery on the way back).
Turn right here, onto the Welcome Lakes Trail, and follow it along the ridgeline to a junction with the Dickey Creek Trail. Turn left here and descend down a series of tight switchbacks to Big Slide Lake. The lake is off on a spur trail to the left and you can't miss it.
Note: You need a Northwest Forest Pass (fee) to park at the trailhead, and you need to sign the wilderness permit at the trailhead (free).
Turn right here, onto the Welcome Lakes Trail, and follow it along the ridgeline to a junction with the Dickey Creek Trail. Turn left here and descend down a series of tight switchbacks to Big Slide Lake. The lake is off on a spur trail to the left and you can't miss it.
Note: You need a Northwest Forest Pass (fee) to park at the trailhead, and you need to sign the wilderness permit at the trailhead (free).
