Silver Lake, Mount Townsend
Aug 26, 2009
by
Riri
—
last modified
Aug 27, 2009 12:07 AM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Silver Lakes
- Region: Olympics -- East
- Trails: Silver Lake (#842)
- Avg Rating: 4.12
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Mount Townsend
- Region: Olympics -- East
- Agency: Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District
- Trails: Mount Townsend (#839)
- Avg Rating: 3.89
- Why You Should Go Now
- Ripe berries
Silver Lake (photo by Riri).
Shepherd joined me and Daphne for a lazy mid-week hike to Silver Lake via Mt. Townsend Trail No. 839. We arrived at the upper Mt. Townsend trailhead at 11:30 am, with only 4 other cars in the parking lot. The sign-in log at the trailhead indicated we were the only ones headed to the lake; everyone else was headed up Mt. Townsend, but even so, we only saw a handful of hikers all day long.
The trail is in excellent shape. Although it climbs 1000 ft in the first mile, it then eases up for the remainder of the hike and feels like a very modest grade. The first part of the hike is in forest, with rhodies up to 4200 ft, then ripe, sweet, and plentiful thimbleberries and huckleberries from 4400 to 4900 ft. A few paintbrush, fireweed, and hare bells are still clinging to their summer splendor, but the wildflowers are mostly gone.
As for water, there is a tiny stream about a mile into the hike, but otherwise, no water until you reach Windy Lake (pond) and Windy Camp at 2 miles. About 1/4 mile beyond that, turn left at the signed junction to Silver Lakes Trail No. 842, which you'll follow for 3 miles. When you reach a saddle with a view of the Silver Creek Basin, the trail turns to the right and begins a gentle descent of 600 ft via numerous switchbacks into the lake basin. It doesn't look like a lake could possibly be hiding there in the trees, but it's there, and you'll reach it after a very easy 400 ft ascent.
The lake is pretty, green, and cold, but not what I'd call spectacular. It's certainly peaceful though and the fish were jumping, which is really why I wanted to hike there. A bit windy, but still fun to cast a fly or two; missed two strikes but ultimately landed a lone 7-8" rainbow trout, taken on an emerging caddis fly. Would've fished longer, but it was getting late and Daphne was beside herself, absolutely convinced in her little Lab mind that I required rescuing from the rock on which I was casting. A solo backpacker arrived shortly before we departed. He said he loved overnighting at Silver Lake because of the solitude and if you scramble up the slope just beyond the lake, you can see the lights of Seattle illuminating the night.
The return hike was very quick, as the grade is easy on the knees and mostly in the shade. No bugs to speak of, which made it a really good day. Even better? Cold mocha frappucinos waiting for us in the cooler at the car. But the best? An exceptional Mexican dinner at El Puerto de Angeles IV restaurant in Hoodsport. Highly recommended dinner stop if you're ever hiking this way.
TIME IN: 2 hr, 40 min
TIME OUT: 2 hr
DISTANCE: 11 miles round-trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 2630 ft in; 600 ft out (ascend 2230 ft, then drop 600 ft into the lake basin, and climb additional 400 ft up to the lake)
TRAIL CONDITIONS: moderate grade, mostly packed dirt; one large tree across the path near the lake, but easy to step over.
MAP: Green Trails Tyler Peak #136
GETTING THERE:
U.S. Hwy 101 North from Hoodsport. Turn left onto Penny Creek Road. Drive 1.5 miles to a Y; stay to the left. At the junction with the Smokey the Bear sign, go right onto Big Quilcene Road, which turns into F.R. 27. Drive several miles (about 13-14 miles from the turn-off from Hwy 101), follow signs to Mt. Townsend. Go past F.R. 2760 on your left (which is the turn-off for the lower Mt. Townsend TH), and drive another mile up F.R. 27 to the upper Mt. Townsend TH, which is on Road 190.
The trail is in excellent shape. Although it climbs 1000 ft in the first mile, it then eases up for the remainder of the hike and feels like a very modest grade. The first part of the hike is in forest, with rhodies up to 4200 ft, then ripe, sweet, and plentiful thimbleberries and huckleberries from 4400 to 4900 ft. A few paintbrush, fireweed, and hare bells are still clinging to their summer splendor, but the wildflowers are mostly gone.
As for water, there is a tiny stream about a mile into the hike, but otherwise, no water until you reach Windy Lake (pond) and Windy Camp at 2 miles. About 1/4 mile beyond that, turn left at the signed junction to Silver Lakes Trail No. 842, which you'll follow for 3 miles. When you reach a saddle with a view of the Silver Creek Basin, the trail turns to the right and begins a gentle descent of 600 ft via numerous switchbacks into the lake basin. It doesn't look like a lake could possibly be hiding there in the trees, but it's there, and you'll reach it after a very easy 400 ft ascent.
The lake is pretty, green, and cold, but not what I'd call spectacular. It's certainly peaceful though and the fish were jumping, which is really why I wanted to hike there. A bit windy, but still fun to cast a fly or two; missed two strikes but ultimately landed a lone 7-8" rainbow trout, taken on an emerging caddis fly. Would've fished longer, but it was getting late and Daphne was beside herself, absolutely convinced in her little Lab mind that I required rescuing from the rock on which I was casting. A solo backpacker arrived shortly before we departed. He said he loved overnighting at Silver Lake because of the solitude and if you scramble up the slope just beyond the lake, you can see the lights of Seattle illuminating the night.
The return hike was very quick, as the grade is easy on the knees and mostly in the shade. No bugs to speak of, which made it a really good day. Even better? Cold mocha frappucinos waiting for us in the cooler at the car. But the best? An exceptional Mexican dinner at El Puerto de Angeles IV restaurant in Hoodsport. Highly recommended dinner stop if you're ever hiking this way.
TIME IN: 2 hr, 40 min
TIME OUT: 2 hr
DISTANCE: 11 miles round-trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 2630 ft in; 600 ft out (ascend 2230 ft, then drop 600 ft into the lake basin, and climb additional 400 ft up to the lake)
TRAIL CONDITIONS: moderate grade, mostly packed dirt; one large tree across the path near the lake, but easy to step over.
MAP: Green Trails Tyler Peak #136
GETTING THERE:
U.S. Hwy 101 North from Hoodsport. Turn left onto Penny Creek Road. Drive 1.5 miles to a Y; stay to the left. At the junction with the Smokey the Bear sign, go right onto Big Quilcene Road, which turns into F.R. 27. Drive several miles (about 13-14 miles from the turn-off from Hwy 101), follow signs to Mt. Townsend. Go past F.R. 2760 on your left (which is the turn-off for the lower Mt. Townsend TH), and drive another mile up F.R. 27 to the upper Mt. Townsend TH, which is on Road 190.
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View of the Sound on Mt. Townsend trail (photo by Riri).
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Silver Lake is hidden in the trees (photo by Riri).
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