Pleasant Valley Lake, American Ridge, Kettle Creek & Pleasant Valley Loop — Friday, Aug. 7, 2009

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

I started out intending to do a loop from Kettle Creek to Mesatchee Creek. I could not find the Kettle Creek trail head. So, after spending over 2 hours I decided to go up the Pleasant Valley Lake trail, across American Ridge and then down Kettle Creek. The Pleasant Valley trail starts on the south side of 410 at the Fifes Peak viewing area n(around mile 82 or so). Look for the horse crossing sign and this is the trail. Pleasant valley Lake trail (958B) is well maintained, steep, and pretty well used by horses (well maintained but dusty). The American ridge trail is easy to find. American Ridge is a seldom used trail along this section. Parts of it are hard to follow, but the solitude is nice. There was no water until I got to Kettle Lake. As usual, I took the wrong trail from the lake and started out following the American Ridge trail towards Mesatchee creek. It was climbing and the sun was not right so within a quarter of a mile or so I went back to the lake. GOLLY - there is a sign there that says "Kettle Creek". Kettle Creek trail is steep but it seems to get used a lot more than the ridge trail. I looked at old trail reports and it is evident that this is not a popular trail. Still, it was easy to follow and there was wate available. The trail ends (starts) at the Pleasand Valley campground. When you enter the campground, turn right past the information sign. Camp spot 4 was on the right and past it was a toilet on the left. The trail starts on the south side of the river, more or less directly across from this toilet. There is a large log jam to the east (left as you are looking at the river from the campground). All in all -- it was a LONG but good day. The weather as perfect but some of the plants are starting to turn red and brown - a reminder that the hiking season to short.