We wanted to do something easy, especially since one of my dogs had double knee surgery last fall and the other just had knee surgery on one leg three months ago - I wanted something easy as their first hike post-surgery - and so we chose Barclay Lake. The hike to Barclay Lake is very pleasant and easy to do. The hike starts out in the woods and weaves along the river for a bit, then crosses it via man-made bridge and slowly leads away from it. The weather was in the high 70s and wasn't too hot, which was perfect. We go to the lake pretty quickly and saw several people hanging out and one or two actually camping. The dogs enjoyed splashing in the water for a few minutes before we decided to head up to Eagle Lake... yeah... that part got steep in a matter of seconds... it was really brutal on the dogs and I am ever so grateful for the doggie suitcase handle on my little Sparrow (a Mini Aussie) because I was able to lift her over logs and rocks. Bheria (a White German Shepherd) was doing okay up until we got to the really rocky sections. That was a very hot area and very difficult to cross with dogs who were not at their peak conditions. After about the third section of rocks, near the very top of the ginormous hill, we decided to turn around while two other friends went ahead to Eagle Lake. Those friends later reported it was still a difficult climb and that the lake wasn't that showy - which is why I was okay with turning around and heading down.
One thing to really take note of is the trail markers - both ribbons and cairns/rock towers - it is really easy to miss them going both up and down, especially down over the rocks... so if you can, bring some more ribbons or pay super close attention to where you came up as there's a section that is easy to pass without seeing the way down.
When we came back the dogs played in the water a bit and I actually took two dips - brr - but it felt great after that crazy attempt to climb up to Eagle Lake.
Overall, Barclay Lake is great for beginner hikers or those who need an easy hike. The lake is really pretty and we could see some snow up at the mountain tops. The dogs loved it - up until the point where it was a steep climb and they began to have a difficult time.

Well worth the search. This was our second attempt at finding the Barclay Lake Trail. We didn't have the guidebook the first time and gave up on the drive in just short of the trailhead. The road in was in better condition than it was a couple of months ago.

The trail is in good condition, very little mud and no water. It was a busy place today, and there were a good number of campers at the lake.

We turned around at the southeast end of the lake and hiked back out. We're not morning hikers and it was getting too late in the day to continue on to Eagle Lake.

A large group (10 of us) did a peaceful hike to Barclay lake to enjoy the beauty of the valley Barclay lake sits in and get a moderate walk in on this perfect first day of Summer (unofficial but I think the first or perhaps second 80 degree day of 2012 in Western Washington).

The trail is mellow with ups and downs but nothing too severe. Some mud holes but these will quickly dry as the weather turns normal (i.e. warmer) and drier.

The lake had many young families camping and wading in the lake but we found a quite spot near the Eastern? end of the lake and had a 2 hour picnic before returning to our cars and retreating to Monroe for DQ burgers and ice cream.

Lots of water falls from the rock faces surrounding the lake which may not last more than a few weeks with the snow chutes melting out.

We were headed out from camping at close by Miller River(off Money Creek Campground). We decided to stop by and hike out to Barclay Lake. It was a gorgeous day(the day after the fourth of July). It was well trafficked and there was minimal parking for our big truck. It was an easy hike, we saw dogs and lots of kiddos. Pretty cool camp sites along the way. At the very end of the trail, we went left to a little creek. We waded through the ice cold water to get to a little rock island in the middle and sat and had a beer and some snacks. My boyfriend enjoyed climbing the trees that had been blown over the creek. It was an enjoyable hike.