Beginning at the Shellrock Lake TH to save the difficult and time consuming drive to Frazier Turnaround TH. This was the first time I have attempted the route from this start point, and aside from the very full parking lot and large groups camped on the trail at Shellrock Lake, I would say it's preferable. It adds 1 mile each way to your hike.
I counted 19 cars parked at the small trailhead parking lot and along the road Saturday at around 10:30 am. There were more along the road when we returned the next day. Very popular area, given it's remote location.
Shellrock lake is quite nice, although the cooler crowd is noticeable.
Once past, you continue uphill to a jct with the abandoned Frazier Turnaround 4610-240 spur road (Grouse Pt trail #517) You can go either direction to begin the loop, however for this trip I went directly to Serene Lake. Turn left and continue through a open area below the summit of Frazier Mtn. You can see Mt Jefferson on the horizon, and a partial view of Mt Hood behind you through the trees. Soon you reach a small "Trail" arrow pointing left and you leave the road alignment. Looking for beta on where this spur/road continues to. Any info?
Continuation of the road is visible in Satellite view:
The buggy enclave of Cache Meadow. Some standing water keeps mosquitoes buzzing, though the flowers were quite nice.
Asters, mtn dandelions, paintbrush, larkspur, and even some bog orchids
Cache Meadow camp
I feel sorry for whoever camps here!
nice viewpoints to the North/East at the trail #512/517 jct
Once down at the lake, the area was very busy already with lots of tents set up all around the shore. Since we arrived (relatively early) were able to find a nice spot near the lake outlet, and all evening group after group continued to arrive well into the dark. I think it might have been the busiest spot I have ever camped, though it's a big area so people were spread out quite a bit. I would consider it akin to camping at a popular drive-in lake campground.
A relic of a bygone era (in more ways than one)
At the lake we spotted an Osprey, lots of newts, a frog, trout were jumping, and I heard owls hooting at night.
The next morning we continued hiking, past a viewpoint of Indian Ridge on the opposite side of the S Fork Roaring River Valley
We cruised past the Rock Lakes, visiting Middle Rock lake as we had been there once years ago. There were people camped there too, of course. The water was warm enough to swim in all of the lakes, including Serene lake, though beach access is not always easy to find.
~11.5 miles, 3200' eg.
I think frazier turnaround road helps to keep the traffic down a bit. I can't imagine camping at cache meadow as the mosquitoes are thick and there aren't really any views to be had. Maybe a hunters camp?