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Lake Mills

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Featured In: Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula, by Craig Romano.
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A quiet trail to a small backcountry campground on Lake Mills, this hike makes for a good leg stretcher on a rainy afternoon. It's also the perfect place to watch the transformation of the Elwha River back to a wild and free-flowing waterway. The removal of the Glines Canyon Dam is scheduled to begin in 2009, after which Lake Mills will become a distant memory. Hike this trail to celebrate the restoration of a great river.

The Lake Mills Trail begins by the boat launch on this man-made body of water. As far as lakes go, Mills isn't anything special. Still, many people have come to love it since its inception in 1927. They've paddled, fished, and admired snow-capped mountains reflecting in its dark waters. While many hikers eagerly anticipate the dam's removal, a few will be lamenting the lake's demise.

The real charm of this trail, however, is the forest it traverses. Mossy alder groves, a handful of madronas, and plenty of big old firs will greet you along the way. There are lots of creeks to cross too. After periods of heavy rainfall you may find that one or two test the waterproofing of your boots.

After a pleasant start along the lakeshore, the trail climbs almost a couple hundred feet above it. Enjoy some good lake views and then plunge back to the shoreline. Hop across a few more creeks, and at 1.9 miles come to a backcountry campsite. Proceed for another 0.1 mile to the trail's end at a small bluff above crashing Boulder Creek. Retrace your steps, visualizing the trail running along a free-flowing river like Boulder Creek.

Driving Directions:

From Port Angeles follow US 101 west for 9 miles. At milepost 240, before the Elwha River Bridge, turn left onto Olympic Hot Springs Road (signed "Elwha Valley"). Follow this good paved road for 5.5 miles (entering Olympic National Park at 2 miles). At a sharp turn above the Glines Canyon Dam, turn left (use caution on this blind corner) onto a dirt road (signed "boat launch"). Proceed 0.2 mile to the trailhead. Privy available.

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Lake Mills, Upper Lake Mills, West Lake Mills, Boulder Lake, Appleton Pass, Olympic Hot Springs — Sep 08, 2010 — Washington Trails Association

Day hike

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The Olympic Hot Springs Road and these trails are closed through October 2010 for construction on the Lake Mills Delta...

The Olympic Hot Springs Road and these trails are closed through October 2010 for construction on the Lake Mills Delta and the Boulder Creek Trail Rehabilitation Project. Visit Olympic National Park's website at: http://www.nps.gov/[…]/wilderness-trail-conditions.htm#CP_JUMP_150133 for the latest updates before heading this way.

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