Scout Lake — Thursday, Jun. 29, 2017

This may be a bit short to even be considered a hike but it is a great quick escape to an uncrowded lake on the I-90 corridor. Check out one of my previous postings for directions. 

The first 3/4 mi is along an eroded brushy logging road.  The second half is through nice mid elevation old growth Silver Fir and Hemlock forest.

When the trail leaves the old road and decends to the river you will cross a few small creeks but don't cross the main creek.  If you find yourself facing a creek filled with large logs and boulders that looks hard to cross then you have just missed the real trail. Back track about 50 feet and find the trail that goes into the dark forest and stays on the southwest side of the creek all the way to the lake. 

The lake can be circumnavigated but it does require traversing a large boulder field on the south side of the lake.

If you visit here, please do a little trail work. This place does not get any formal maintenance. The only work done is by hikers like you and me.  You can do a lot of good with a pair of clippers and a perhaps a small hand saw.  The trail also always needs lots of loose rocks removed from the surface. Just the rolly polly ones that just get in the way.  Just flick them away with your boot. If a lot of people do a little work then the cumulative effect will be outstanding.

RT 3.3 mi with 900 ft elevation gain.