Tunnel Creek, Trap Pass
Oct 06, 2009
by
physics hiker
—
last modified
Oct 11, 2009 04:42 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Trap Pass
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Trails: Trap Pass (#1060.1)
- Avg Rating: 2.75
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Tunnel Creek
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Trails: Tunnel Creek (#1061)
- Avg Rating: 3.25
- Why You Should Go Now
- Fall foliage
- Be Aware Of
- Snow on trail
Vine maple with fall color half way to Hope Lake. photo by C. Ardary
I wanted to go back to Hope and Mig Lakes because I remembered them as being very picturesque from 1987. I also remembered the trail as being an easy walk through the woods. The trail is not that bad but harder than I remember.
Anyway the trail leaves a bend in the road. There is parking for a half dozen cars. The trail climbs through forest, clearcut, forest, clearcut, and back to forest in the first third of a mile. This is followed by a pleasant walk in the forest for another quarter of a mile. Then the trail turns up towards Hope Lake and gains most of the trips elevation in the last mile. While it is steep, I didn't find it that bad, just different than I remembered. Total elevation to the lake is about 1200 feet.
At Hope Lake I had a choice of going to Mig Lake or doing something new and going to Trap Lake via the PCT. The trail had muddy spots and patches of snow from the previous week. The PCT gains elevation gently to a pass about 1.2 miles and 5200 feet. Today there was snow in the pass, which was a surprise, but not cause for stopping. After the pass the trail drops to a nice meadow that is a good break place. From the meadow the trail loses and gains elevation on a delightful walk. There are views east and south along this part of the trail. In about 2.5 miles you start to climb to a pass again, and this is a great place to find a rock and enjoy the view of Trap Lake. There is also a trail down to the lake if you want.
Great weather day with a hint of winter in the air.
physics hiker
Anyway the trail leaves a bend in the road. There is parking for a half dozen cars. The trail climbs through forest, clearcut, forest, clearcut, and back to forest in the first third of a mile. This is followed by a pleasant walk in the forest for another quarter of a mile. Then the trail turns up towards Hope Lake and gains most of the trips elevation in the last mile. While it is steep, I didn't find it that bad, just different than I remembered. Total elevation to the lake is about 1200 feet.
At Hope Lake I had a choice of going to Mig Lake or doing something new and going to Trap Lake via the PCT. The trail had muddy spots and patches of snow from the previous week. The PCT gains elevation gently to a pass about 1.2 miles and 5200 feet. Today there was snow in the pass, which was a surprise, but not cause for stopping. After the pass the trail drops to a nice meadow that is a good break place. From the meadow the trail loses and gains elevation on a delightful walk. There are views east and south along this part of the trail. In about 2.5 miles you start to climb to a pass again, and this is a great place to find a rock and enjoy the view of Trap Lake. There is also a trail down to the lake if you want.
Great weather day with a hint of winter in the air.
physics hiker
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Fall color at Hope Lake
photo by C. Ardary
|
Snow on the PCT between Hope Lk and Trap Lk
photo by C. Ardary
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Trap Lake from PCT
photo by C. Ardary
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