Tuck LakeRecent Trip Reports
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Tuck Lake
— Nov 12, 2011
— lo fi
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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After a few hours delay coming over Snoqualmie Pass and the requisite dinner and grocery shopping in Cle Elum my...
After a few hours delay coming over Snoqualmie Pass and the requisite dinner and grocery shopping in Cle Elum my friend and I were headed up the road to Salmon la Sac long after dark. We hoped to make the trailhead but the time on the pass, which we learned got closed, was making a long evening out of a short trip. With the snow falling heavily and the comforts of a warm tent and cold beer calling our names we decided to call it and settled in at a livestock camp just north of the Salmon la Sac campground.
After a night of much needed sleep we were ready to make our way to Granite Mountain. Our late start coupled with the evening snow accumulation of 6" turned our adventure into a hike just shy of Tuck Lake. Already 10 oclock, after negotiation FR 4300, we threw our packs on and got started. The trail was all ours and the fresh snow provided a peaceful setting for our hike up to Hyas Lake. Along the way we enjoyed views of Cathedral Rock and reminiced about our days on the PCT this summer through that section. As we arrived at Hyas Lake the snow began to fall but the thick forest we were switchbacking through provided ample protection as we carried on. In a little over a half mile we left the trail to Deception pass and headed east towards Tuck Lake. Unable to pick up the trail we headed generally east southeast. After a half hour of sketchy climbing our southeasterly traverse finally got us back on the trail. We continued up as the snowfall increased but as 2 o'clock came around we decided to turn back. We made it up just far enough to see the discharge from Tuck Lake, had a snack and marched down. The trail into Hyas Lake is flat so an easy hike even with the new snow. The drive to the trail head, I think, deserves bigger plans given its challenges and length. The snow, potholes and crossing at Scatter Creek require a 4wd truck. An early start from the trail head and I think one could enjoy some time at Tuck Lake or even Robins Lake. Overnight
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Our plan was to climb to Tuck lake and then on to Robin Lakes to spend the night with the...
Our plan was to climb to Tuck lake and then on to Robin Lakes to spend the night with the vistas and hopefully, see some of the resident mountain goats.
We arrived at the trailhead after a bumpy ride on DevRd 4330 around 12pm on Sunday, paid the parking fee and filled out the backcountry permit/itinerary. A half hour later we were on our way. The trail was in good condition...a bit wet and had to cross numerous streams, but in all a noneventful 2 hour hike to the trailhead that leads to Tuck and Robin Lakes. We arrived at Tuck around 3:30 and took in the beauty and serenity of the lake and the peaks surrounding it. The foliage was almost completely turned but the lichen and other bushes were still an amazing red. After consulting the map we headed off towards Robin Lakes...or so we thought. The trail is not marked at all (or at least we couldn't find any markings) and we spent the better part of an hour and a half bushwacking before deciding that we would make camp at Tuck. While I pitched the tent on a ledge overlooking Tuck Pothole, Jenn scouted around and found the trail leading up to Robin Lakes. It was then we realized what mistake we had made initially and decided we would climb to Robin the next morning prior to heading home. The whole day was absolutely gorgeous and we went to bed with anticipation that the next day would be the same and were looking forward to the vistas and the goats afforded by Robin Lakes. Around 1am Jenn woke me to tell me that it was raining (which I poo pooed) and proceeded to open the rainfly revealing 3 inches of snow. This development was a bit disconcering to us as we did not want to have to try to find the trail, which in the best of weather is at times a bit hard to find. We spent the night in and out of sleep and worry about the next day. We waited until it was bright enough the next morning to pack up (it was still snowing...6 inches of snow now covered the region) and get moving. We were on our way by 8am and headed down the hill. As things turned out discerning the trail was not as big of an issue as we worried about and we felt a bit wimpish about our whole attitude. We were back to the car and on our way by 12:30 and, on our way out, noticed that the Forest Service had closed the trailhead for the winter. There is a bit of satisfaction knowing that we saw the first snowfall of the season and, that we were the last hikers on the trail for the season. We will be going back next summer to see Robin Lakes, the goats and the views. Highly recommend this hike. Overnight
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After one missed turn (just past the ranger station) that took us briefly over the river, we survived the rough...
After one missed turn (just past the ranger station) that took us briefly over the river, we survived the rough road and arrived at the trailhead just after 11 am. We were surprised by the variety of cars that people chose to take up that road (we rented an SUV just for the occasion).
The first couple miles were most enjoyable. We loved the walk through the woods that surround Hyas lake, and had a light snack at one of the little campsites along the shoreline. Nice views of Mount Daniel across the water. Very little insect activity at all. We were hoping for more wildlife, but didnt see anything larger than a squirrel. Leaving the lake, we found ourselves interspersed amongst a few other small groups of hikers, but it certainly didn't feel crowded at any point. The climb away from the lake begins innocently enough, and increases its pitch as you go. We made the turn off to Tuck about 1:20. As has been noted in other trip reports, this next mile is pretty rough in places. It can be very steep and the pace slows considerably as you scamper up some of the larger steps (at least for this hiker). This section took a little over an hour and a half to complete. We arrived at Tuck to find it also bug-free for the most part, and after some discussion, we (read: "I") opted out of continuing on to Robin (this time ...). We made our way around to the northwest shoreline, away from the half-dozen or so other campers who were settling down at the south end, an set up camp right at the water's edge. Bugs were around, but certainly not overwhelming at all. The clouds were rolling in by 5pm and it got a little chilly whenever the wind came up across the lake. We got some rain overnight, and it was showery the next morining as we broke camp. We left the campsite at 8:10 and blasted down the steep section to the turn off in about an hour. It was drizzling some at the top, which made some of the rocks a little slippery, but one we got down into the trees again, it was fine. The walk out took a total of 3 hours from the time we left camp to the time we were at the car again. Looking forward to tackling this one again next year, but will leave a lot earlier so as to have ample rest time at Tuck before venturing up to Robin. Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Fall foliage
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Coined "The Little Enchantments", the nickname is strikingly accurate. Unfortunately, due to the striking beauty and relative similarity to...
Coined "The Little Enchantments", the nickname is strikingly accurate. Unfortunately, due to the striking beauty and relative similarity to the Enchantments, Robin Lakes can get down-right crowded on a sunny weekend in September, as I found out this past weekend.
After hiking into Hyas Lake after dark on Friday evening, I got an early start Saturday morning and, after a quick stop at Tuck Lake, by noon had reached Robin Lakes. While there certainly were still a few mosquitoes, they were few and far between, and I only received one bite the whole weekend. Setting up camp between upper and lower Robin Lakes, I watched as the masses streamed in the rest of the day, many with dogs (how are dogs allowed on this hike?!). Amazingly, even with all the canines, a family of mountain goats made an appearance, and I was careful to keep at least 50 feet from them at any time. An afternoon scramble to the ridge line along Granite Mountain allowed me to top out at 7100 feet and take in the incredible view of the lakes from above and the mountains beyond. For those looking for larches turning yellow, this isn't the hike for you, but in a certain rare occurrence due to the crazy weather this year, there were both wildflowers blooming AND fall colors coming in. At the risk of inviting even more people to this treasure of a hike, I simply can't recommend this location more. If you can handle 3,500 feet of elevation, 8 miles of hiking and some relatively tricky rock scrambles, this is easily the most accessible and beautiful hike I've ever been on. It's just a matter of time until this area is permitted. In my opinion, it couldn't happen soon enough. Until then, enjoy the beauty and relative tranquility, but expect a healthy dose of humanity as well.
Robin Lakes, Tuck Lake
— Sep 03, 2011
— Carrie
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs
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We stayed Friday night at Hyas Lake and were surprised that there weren’t too many bugs! Yeah!
The hike up...
We stayed Friday night at Hyas Lake and were surprised that there weren’t too many bugs! Yeah!
The hike up to Tuck is straight up and many big steps for my 5’2” frame. But it is doable. The lake was beautiful and there were so much snow on Daniel. There were bugs at the lake for our lunch stop. The hike up to Robins is tough! There are many “alternate” routs and is steep with even bigger steps! But the results were amazing. The Robin lakes were spectacular. There’s only one small path of snow that you have to cross on the way up. Not a big deal. There were many folks camping up at the lakes. Unfortunately there were folks who had dogs who would bark incessantly early in the morning and wouldn’t be quieted. There was another group that had a dog that spooked a mother goat and baby and I’ve never seen goats run that fast. The dog was not on a leash. We hiked up to Granite Mt. There was snow to cross, but other than that…the hike was fine. Loads of friendly goats! What a lovely weekend. |
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