Dog Lake to Cramer Lake (Trail 1106)Recent Trip Reports
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Dog Lake to Cramer Lake (Trail 1106)
— Jul 24, 2011
— YakMan
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail | Bugs
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I traveled from Dog Lake to Cramer Lake for a day hike. Planned to head over to Dumbell Lake...
I traveled from Dog Lake to Cramer Lake for a day hike. Planned to head over to Dumbell Lake but a comfortable log in the sun intervened.
Good News: Snow is mostly gone and the lakes are snow free Bad News: Snow is mostly gone and the skeeters have awakened and are extremely hungry. 100% DEET and cheap cigars kept them somewhat at bay. The trail had some snow but it is pretty easy to follow. Some logs over trail but not bad. I didn't continue but assume that Otter and Dumbell lakes are accessable. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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with photos
I was off trail most of the time, but started at Dog Lake.
I accidentally hiked to Dumbbell Lake today because...
I was off trail most of the time, but started at Dog Lake.
I accidentally hiked to Dumbbell Lake today because some Dumbbell didn't take precise compass readings. My destination was Cramer Lake. I was convinced by a friend that even though there were reports of almost solid snow from Dog to Crammer Lake not long ago that the route would be snow free. “It has been hot.” I had my doubts, but thought an early hike in that area might avoid the hordes of mosquitoes that generally show up in early June. Also, by now the horse traffic generally makes the trail both dusty and mucky. I remember a very hot July 4 weekend many years ago when the mosquitoes were draining us of so much blood that we resorted to sweating under two layers of clothing hoping we could survive to hike another day. We could brush hundreds of the little suckers off our clothing in one swipe. I might have seen half dozen mosquitoes today. I should have gone with my gut and found another place to hike. It might be 2-3 weeks before this area is almost snow free. When I saw a few small patches of snow along the trail near Dog Lake I knew I was in for a long day. The trail from Dog Lake up to the top of the hill after crossing the creek is only about 20 percent covered with snow. After that, there is bare ground around the trees, but the trail is 99 percent covered with 1 to 3 feet of snow. There are a few blazes on the trees, but after about half mile I lost the trail. My destination was Cramer Lake, and, if no snow, Shellrock Lake, but I ended up at the east end of Dumbbell Lake. I wasn't sure what lake I was at until after I returned home and looked at satellite imagery. Just before the snow completely covered the trail near a small pond I got my compass out, looked at my map, and simply decided to head magnetic north, which was about right, but I was rather careless when reading and following the compass. I gradually worked my way too far west, passed Cramer Lake to the west and hit the trail just east of Dumbbell Lake. I walked west about 200 feet and there was a lake. I decided it must be Dumbbell because most of the other possibilities, like Otter and Dancing Lady Lakes are smaller. Also I don’t recall seeing Mt Rainier from those lakes. I decided not to stop by Cramer Lake. After spending a short time at Dumbbell Lake I headed back south on about the same route I hiked in on and finally hit the trail again a short distance before crossing the creek the flows into Dog Lake. I met a young couple with 2 dogs just before crossing the creek. The dogs were surprised to see me as they came around the corning and barked rather aggressively, but that was short lived. Further down the trail I passed a teenage boy, then 10 minutes latter a teenage girl with a machete, who asked if I had seen the boy, then a few minutes later a young woman, all in the same group, and without packs. The girl with the machete might be why the boy was going so fast. I hope the girl with the machete didn't fall in the snow and hurt herself. I fell through the snow twice today, but most of the snow is solid. In a few cases, it is so solid that I didn't leave tracks. There are at least a dozen trees across the part of the trail that I hiked. My main reason for writing this is to report that the Cramer, Dumbbell, Shellrock, Longjohn Lakes area is completely snow covered. If you like snow hiking/camping and don’t like mosquitoes now is the time to hike this area if you have good navigation skills. If you find a White Pass Green Trails™ map in the woods near Dumbbell or Cramer Lakes it is mine. You can keep it.
Dog Lake to Cramer Lake (Trail 1106)
— Jun 25, 2011
— Scoutmaster
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Snow on trail
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Large deep snow fields after the first 1/4 mile. Trail and surrounding areas completly covered in snow. Navigation...
Large deep snow fields after the first 1/4 mile. Trail and surrounding areas completly covered in snow. Navigation was only via tree "blazes". Snow fields mostly solid, but some "posthole". Lost the trail several times. Very slow going. Only traveled about 1.5 miles in before turning back. At least a dozen down trees. No bugs. Estimate snow will continue to cover the trail for several more weeks.
Dog Lake to Cramer Lake (Trail 1106)
— Jul 20, 2009
— Minitramp
Overnight
Issues:
Bugs
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The trail is in good shape besides one washed out bridge, there is a log nearby that can be used...
The trail is in good shape besides one washed out bridge, there is a log nearby that can be used to cross the creek. The mosquitoes were unbearable, the most I've seen this year. Used 40% Deet and they were on anything that wasn't covered and going through my clothes, I won't go back until weather conditions are less mosquito friendly.
Dog Lake to Cramer Lake (Trail 1106), Dumbbell Lake, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section I.1 - White Pass - Chinook Pass
— Jul 10, 2009
— lansfordgang
Overnight
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail | Bugs
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My wife and I took the girls (I have 3 daughters) and left Friday morning for a nice 3 day...
My wife and I took the girls (I have 3 daughters) and left Friday morning for a nice 3 day hike from Dog Lake up to Dumbbell Lake and staying 2 nights then completing the loop back down to Whites Pass on Sunday. The hike itself is beautiful, however, let me give everyone a fair warning... the mosquitos are maddening. As soon as you head in from the trail head from Dog Lake, they come "a-running" for ya. Needless to say, we arrived Friday afternoon but due to the pesky little flying bombers, we quickly packed back up Saturday morning and headed back down. It just wasn't much fun with the constant swatting, and with the kids...
Coming down from Dumbbell Lake via the PCT was a nice hike. However, there is still many areas of snow covering the trail. The snow is hard-packed so you can walk on top of it, but it definately adds to the time spent on the trail. However, what a beautiful hike. We will have to consider going back after the frist major frost up there. |
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