Hike: Packwood Lake, Packwood, WA

Getting There

From I-5, take Hwy US-12 eastbound for about 65 miles through Morton & Randle to Packwood. Drive through town until you reach the intersection for Skate Creek Road + Snyder Road. Take Snyder Road (east) for about 1.5 miles until it becomes NF-1260. Continue for about 4.5 miles to the Packwood Lake Trailhead.

The trail is for hikers and pack animals. It's a huge parking lot with a pit toilet, and ample room for horse trailers.

I responded to a post by a (semi-retired) geologist Pat to the MSHI group asking for a hiking buddy to scout an upcoming research site at the lake: dating submerged trees to find out the age of an ancient landslide that caused the formation of the lake about 900 years ago. Pat was one of our guest speakers at the MSHI-WTA Jamboree recently. I've also heard him talk about the 1980 eruption during one of the Volcano Naturalist lessons.

We met at Mountain Goat Coffee and caravaned up the Packwood Lake Trailhead. Two years ago I helped out with a Glacier Overlook Hike and stayed in Packwood to hike to the lake. As it turned out, I'd also done the GOH trip and stayed in Randle to join Pat.

The Hike

Distance: 8.24 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,280 feet

We got geared up and set out on the trail. We adopted a leisurely pace, stopping occasionally to rest or look at a cool plant or rock or marvel at the mature, old growth Western Red Cedar or Douglas Fir. The trail barely seems to ascend, more like a roller coaster of small inclines and declines. Pat pointed out the remnants of a pumice-ash from a couple of MSH eruptions in the 1400s.

After a couple of hours, the trail comes to an area of lots more sunlight and some giant boulders, evidence of the old landslide. 

Eventually, we caught of glimpse of a wall of trees and turquoise water. Before we reach the shoreline, the trail turns abruptly north. We're close to the water but it's down a-ways a steep hillside. Bushwhacking.

We continue downwards and see the ranger's residence. At least, we've reach the lake. When Pat comes back for the project, he and his crew will drive up on the forest road to the hydro-electric plant. We inspect the steep driveway and Pat considers his truck ability to make it up and eye-balls some a place to park at the bottom of the hill.

We stop for lunch and chat with a couple and their two Huskies. We encounter a handful of others. Pat says he wants to hike along the western shore to find some old-growth trees. I know there isn't a trail but don't say anything. It would be a lot of bushwhacking to make any progress. I'm glad we don't make the attempt.

We decide to start heading back down to the car, having done what was needed at the launch site. We're going to take a core sample from an older tree. We skip past a few for one reason or another: evidence of rot, weird cracks in the bark.

Finally, we find one that's suitable. I get the opportunity to do the whole things (well, mostly). It a thin hollow tube with threaded point on the end. With every half turn, the trees squeaks, a good sign that the wood is healthy and not rotted inside. A few times it's muffled or makes no sound at all but I continue.

With help, I insert another aluminum piece that has barbs on one end. This slides under the woody core and allows us to pull the core out of the hollow, coring tube directly into a thing to store it for the journey back to the car and then the lab. It's just three plastic straws from Starbucks.

After some effort, I extract the boring tube and pack it back up for transport.

We continue on our descent to the car. It's a bit of a slog but we break up the hike down with rest stops and to chat with some folks heading to the lake (overnighters).

At last, we round a corner and can see cars in the parking lot. A father and daughter have stuff strewn around their car on the ground: packing their backpacks for a couple nights at the lake. They are one a road trip and did another overnight on the Olympics. 

Pat and I change into 'driving' clothes and say goodbye. I'm grateful to be able to join Pat. He offers to cover my lodging the night before with money from his grant. He says he doesn't hike alone anymore and I'm glad to have spent the day. 

 

1910 Ranger Station

Outflow for hydro-electric dam

Agnes Island

Hike: Hamilton Mountain + Hardy Creek, N Bonneville, WA

Getting There

Just after Doetsch Ranch you'll see the Ranger Station on the north side of the road just before the Beacon Rock parking lot, then another road across from the bathrooms. The road winds up the hill for a bit.

It was early afternoon and the weather was sunny but warmer than I expected. I haven't been here since Dec 28, 2025, quite a bit different conditions. I have been to Beacon Rock State Park a bunch of times with WTA, all on the west side (E. Hardy Ridge, Bridge Trail, Upper Hardy Creek). We brushed the Hamilton Mountain Summit on March 27.

Anywho.... it was great to be back. I've been missing hiking for fun. 

The Hike

Distance: 9.49 mi
Elev. gain: 2,428 ft
Moving time: 4:12:24
Avg. pace: 26:36
Calories: 2,224
Total time: 5:24:25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was good to be back on this familiar trail. It's been a while since I did the section from the trailhead to the power lines due to the landslides. I'd gone though Hadley Grove back in Dec. Not sure who did the repairs 'cuz it wasn't WTA.

I had 3L of fluids (2L of Power Ade, and 1L of water). Even before I reached the power lines, I was feeling winded. It was hotter than it seemed. Probably in the 80s, so, not terrible-I've done worse, but it was probably a bit humid too. I was sweating pretty good and was glad I'd worn shorts and my sun-shirt hoodie.

I had to pause several times because my heart was beating really fast. I've noticed lately is my legs feel strong but my cardio is lacking so I'm having to take mini-breaks and let my heart rate slow down before proceeding. Maybe my fitness, maybe the heat. (Something I need to work on and/or be more cognizant of.) 

Anyway, I paused briefly at Rodney Falls to take a breather and enjoy the sounds and cooler air.

I made my requisite side trip to Little Hamilton. I considered going up the sketchy route but just didn't feel up to it. I hike the regular trail and then took the junction.

When I was coming down off Little Hamilton, a guy was there at the junction and asked where the trail went. I gave him the recommendation that it was worth the effort. He opted to do it on the way back and took off upward. I noticed he had no pack, no water/fluids, nothing but the shirt on his back and shorts & shoes and cell phone. It always baffles me. I have several liters and the <10 essentials *minus a bunch of stuff like fire starting stuff, headlamp* then there are folks like this guy with nothing. 

I saw him again at the summit. He was chilling and looking a his phone.

I stopped at the Saddle and ate 1/2 my sandwich.

When I continued back down, I took Don's Cutoff trail to Upper Hardy Creek. I didn't take many photos for awhile. I did my best to enjoy the environment. I need to do more of that, not just zooming from the trailhead to the summit and back down.

I also did my requisite side trip through Hadley Grove to Little Beacon Rock.

This plaque is at the edge of the grove, near the campground. It's affixed to a chunk of petrified wood.

HADLEY GROVE

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
CLYDE B. HADLEY
FIRST SUPERINTENDENT OF BEACON
ROCK STATE PARK 1938-1951

HIS INSPIRING LEADERSHIP AND DILIGENT LABOR WERE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS 4000 
ACRES INTO ONE OF WASHINGTON'S FOREMOST STATE 
PARKS. HIS LOYALTY TO HIS COUNTRY, THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON AND THIS COMMUNITY WAS BEYOND REPROACH.

THIS PLAQUE PRESENTED BY
WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, BOY SCOUTS 
OF AMERICA STEVENSON TROOP 321 AND PORTLAND AREA COUNCIL 
GIRL SCOUTS OF U.S.A. SKAMANIA COUNTY TROOP AND COLUMBIA RIVER COUNCIL STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL SKAMANIA GRADE SCHOOL
SKAMANIA COUNTY ROD AND GUN CLUB STEVENSON LIONS CLUB GRANGES
OF SKAMANIA COUNTY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

ERECTED 1951 

Dog Mountain, Carson, WA

Getting There

I took Hwy 84 to Cascade Locks, then crossed the river. I suppose it's a little quicker than going all the way to Hood River and taking Hwy 14 back to Cook. 

This was a WTA trail work party in conjunction with the Mazamas. James and several others were already there when I arrived to the parking lot.

I mentioned to James that I was having "performance anxiety", referring to be unsure how fit I was to hike to the top and then doing trail work. He was surprised and said he was feeling the same thing. It was a relief that I wasn't the only one. We joked about letting the Mazamas cruise to the top with a CL or ACLs. 

The Hike

Length: 6.48 mi
Elev. gain: 2,840 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,948 ft

Before we set out up the trail, we stopped to take a group photo with the park rangers. 

Surprisingly, I was one of the first to reach Puppy Dog Viewpoint with a couple of the Mazamas. I guess I didn't need to be anxious about my fitness.

We planned to work from the top back down to the viewpoint on eastern side of the loop trail which winds through the trees, instead of the wildflower route to the west. Since it took about 2 hours to complete the hike, we decided to have lunch before starting work. We dropped out tools and headed for the summit.

After lunch, we hiked back to the top of the work site.

The trail was in pretty good condition but there were several areas that needed re-benching and widening.

There was one small diameter tree (maple vine?) that was a bit close to the trail, at about eye level. Before this volunteer actually made the cut, I suggested that we cut a big chunk off the top to lighten the branch. I also showed them how to undercut so there wasn't a slab when the weight finally brought the branch down.

A little re-benching project.

We made it back to Puppy Dog Viewpoint. The weather was great and the work wasn't too difficult.

While this wasn't a leisure hike, it was some descent distance and elevation gain. Some work parties are only 1-2 miles and minimal EG so I don't count those. 

Hike: Dog Mountain via Augspurger Trail, Cook, WA

Getting There

The Augspurger and Dog Mountain Trails share the same trailhead parking lot off Hwy 14. 

I took I-84 to Cascade Locks, then crossed the river and continued on WA-14 eastbound. It's 54 miles (87km) from Portland and 6.2 miles (10km) from the Carson turnoff/round-about. Being a mid-week hike, the parking lot was mostly empty, save a few cars. 

I parked by the Discover Pass sign and geared up. After a pit stop, I set out on the trail, remembering my hike from last November.

The Hike

Distance: 6.92 mi
Ascent: 2,743 ft
Total Time: 3h 46m 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was my second hike of the year and my first "real" hike: decent mileage and elevation gain. 

I was settling into my groove but was quickly jolted by something on the trail. It was a dead deer on the trail. Sorry for the graphic details: it was on its back with hind legs in the air. It was just leg bones, the flesh had been eaten off. My mind went from "holy shit, this is gruesome" to "I hope there isn't a cougar or other predator or scavenger watching me, ready to defend its meal." I hestitated, trying to gather the courage to proceed or return to the trailhead and take the Dog Mountain Trail instead. As I stepped over the carcass, hundreds of flies took flight. I tried not to look too closely and burn a horrible image in my mind. I noticed some poop and entrails near the body. 

I cleared the body and quickened my pace. I had to get out of there. When I reached a viewpoint of Wind Mountain about 3-4 mins up the trail, I texted James about who to contact. He got back to me and said to forward to Stasia to message our forest contact. I was just thinking about unsuspecting hikers coming across the scene and possibly having an animal encounter.

 

The weather was great. I kind of hoped to meet a hiker coming down the trail but never saw anyone. Too few people around. I was preparing my spiel about the deer.

 

Snapshots of the trail from when I was there for the WTA work party popped into my mind, helping me gauge my progress. I wasn't terrible energetic, taking more breaks than I'd expected to need. Thank goodness for my electrolytes, they kept me going.

I was having doubts but didn't want to turn back and have to go by the deer again. (shudder). It gave me some motivation to push myself.

I was relieved when I reached Augspurger-Dog Mountain Trail junction. I poked my head around the corner on the Augspurger Trail. I want to check it off the list sometime. It's a long one, 12.3 miles (~19.8km), 4507 feet (1373m), maybe a good conditioning hike for MSH or Mt Adams, etc.

 

As with other hikes I've done, I've compressed the next section in my mind. It's longer than I remembered and a little more elevation gain. I encountered a few downed trees over the trail.

 

I finally emerged from the trees and I could see to the Dog Mountain Trail. I was almost to the apex of my hike. The views were spectacular. The sun was still a bit high in the sky, the lighting still a bit bright. Someday I'll hike here when the wildflower are in bloom.

 

On my descent, I passed a hiker coming up to the summit.

 

I made sure to enjoy the views after the difficult ascent and trace of doubt. 

After Puppy Dog Point, I passed another solo hiker. I passed another couple in the trees, and a pair of hikers past the Hard/Very Hard routes. I thought about folks that hike late in the day. I wondered if they had the 10 essentials including a light source. 

I took a picture of the Mitchell Point. Awesome to see it from this side of the river. 

 

I was elated to have made it to the top and I was making good progress down (knees intact). 

I finally reached the lower section, the switchbacks. I inspected our trail work from last year. I tried to find that section that were excavated and filled in. It was invisible :)

  

Back at the parking lot, I counted the cars and matched them in my mind with the hikers I'd seen.

A successful day. I'm still pretty fit for the terrain and difficulty. It it motivation to resume my hiking frequency, balancing trail work with personal hikes.