This has turned into a river themed route rather than Beaver Lake which is more of swamp-like and the bridge being broken and now barricaded. Last year you could walk on what was left of the structure to at least get a view of the lake. In this present political atmosphere a replacement is probably doomed.
The trail is in good condition overall. There a few downed trees that are easy to get over and under and there are lots of little streams flowing across the trail but they can all be stepped over. The river is running high and you could hear it from the parking lot. One of the usual places along the trail where you can get down to a dry flat is now under water but the views from the trail are nice with a great view looking up Sauk with Mount Pugh in the background.
From the parking lot on this bright day the mountain to the north (White Chuck?) was brilliant.
The Mountain Loop Highway is clear. There is a very short one-way section that is unmanned but it easy to see the opposite end to see if anyone is coming. The vault toilet is open and well stocked at the trailhead parking lot.
Comments
BIPS on Beaver Lake
Originally this trail crossed the bridge and went on to intersect the Mt. Loop Highway about two miles beyond the trail head. It does have a small marker on the right side of the road. This trail first leads to a big cedar (dead) tree. The trail continues to the Sauk river. You then hit the area where the trail was washed out in the floods of either 2003 or 2006. A path as been cleared to intersect the other end of the trail. It may still have some flagging but if you just follow the cleared path, you should be able to make it. The old trail continues to the other side of the broken bridge. This last part is really the worst now because brush is trying to reclaim the trail.
Posted by:
BIPS on Nov 20, 2025 06:36 PM
thebrink on Beaver Lake
Thanks for the information, I would like to try going from the other end to see what it is like.
Posted by:
thebrink on Nov 20, 2025 08:19 PM