Hike to a pair of pristine lakes, one quite large, both quite shallow, sur-rounded by big timber and wedged in a deep valley between the steep and jagged Dirtyface and Chiwawa ridges. The hike isn't overly difficult, but the terrain it traverses is rugged and remote. One of only three trails affording access into the wild Napeequa River valley, it's a brief affair here, but satisfying nevertheless, with good glimpses into this forbidding and magical corner of the Cascades.

A fairly well-beaten path leaves the primitive riverside campground near a row of giant cottonwoods. Immediately climbing, reach an easy-to-miss side trail at 0.4 mile that leads a short distance up a 2200-foot rocky knoll, affording a nice view down to the Tall Timber Youth Camp on the Napeequa and up to 7420-foot Mount David hovering over the White River valley.

Leveling off, the main trail traverses a couple of scree slopes before dropping 200 feet to briefly brush up against the wild Napeequa River. Continuing upvalley in a lush bottomland of cedars and cottonwoods, the trail then enters the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Soon afterward, pass a teeming-with-birds (and in early season, mosquitoes) wetland. Take in a good view of the towering serrated peaks flanking the Napeequa Valley and imagine what rugged delights lie upstream.

Delights in the form of monstrous cedar trees soon greet you on the trail as you approach Twin Lakes Creek. The creek must be forded-easy to do late in the summer, but often tricky right after the snows melt. Scout upstream for a strategically fallen giant.

Once across the creek, the way climbs steeply, gaining 600 feet in about 0.5 mile and meeting back up with the creek in a tight slot canyon. The way negotiates the rocky gap via loose rock, a little ledge, and a couple times by swinging right down to creek's edge. Roaring rapids make the scene quite dramatic. At about 3.2 miles the trail and creek mellow out and the first of the Twin Lakes, the smaller one, is encountered. The shoreline is brushy, but in about 0.25 mile is a nice lakeside ledge with a good view up to Dirtyface's forested backside.

Continue for a level 0.5 mile on brushy trail through nice forest to the bigger lake. Here you can check out a 1949 cabin used by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to house personnel working at the fish-rearing station on the big twin. Walk down a small boardwalk to the lake and watch the cutthroat jump. Fishing is prohibited, unless you're a resident osprey or eagle.