The Plaid Lake Trail access point is located along Spring Creek Road in the mountains above Crawford Bay, British Columbia. Reaching the trailhead requires traveling up Crawford Creek Forest Service Road, turning onto Spring Creek Road at the 6.

6 km mark, and following the main road to the 10. 5 km point. The final 1. 3 km to the trailhead is steep and rocky, requiring 4WD; those without a capable vehicle can park at the bottom of this section and hike in, adding roughly 30–40 minutes each way.

From the trailhead, the route climbs toward Mt. Crawford before descending via switchbacks into a rocky basin. Plaid Lake lies approximately 2 km beyond the saddle, set within this rugged alpine terrain.