I have been meaning to hike Schaefer Lake trail for some time. The trip reports of the blowdowns always discouraged me from doing so but today I decided to just go for it. I arrived at the parking lot around 2:45 pm and was the only vehicle there. The short walk to the river is brushy. Once you get to the river, go downstream to the big log jam. This log jam really sets the tone for the hike: up; over; and under logs for 50 yards to get across the river. By yourself, or with a dog that can be off a leash, it would be easier than with my "never off a leash" coonhound. But we made it with minor mishaps. Not sure I would hike this trail mid summer due to this river crossing alone. I would imagine its class 3 underneath you on the crossing.
Once over the river you walk through an old growth cedar forest and then into a fairly brushy section with minimal blowdowns. After the brush is when the blowdowns really start picking up. Overall, most were not bad. There were only 6 or so that were bad. Bad, meaning it was awkwardly tall to go over but also too short to go under kind of thing. The trail was graded nicely all the way to the lakes with peak-a-boo vistas along the way. There was ample water sources so no need to pack much water.
The route between little schaefer lake and schaefer lake is short but very brushy. You can barely tell that you are on a trail. Once I got to schaefer lake I went to the left and found a very nice large campsite with a privy close by. It could easily hold 3 larger tents. Would make a great backpacking destination if it wasnt for carrying an overnight pack through the blowdowns.
I was short on time so after a quick stop at the lake, we had to turn and burn it back down the trail. On the way down we encountered 1 black bear about 1/2 mile from Schaefer Lake and 1 hunter about half way down the trail hunting said bear.
Overall it took me about 4.25 hours round trip. I feel like the wta elevation and mileage is a little bloated. Gaia has it at around 8 miles with 2700 vert.
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