Hiked the Lake Constance trail with a friend. I read the previous reports and knew going into the hike Lake Constance would start with a climb and finish the same way. We started the trip late and biked on the washed out Dosewallips logging road for six miles to the trail head. Once there, we ditched the bikes and began our steep climb. The first 2/3 mile climb traverses downed treas caused by a wildfire. The trail is easy to find, and if you do lose it there are many orange ribbons leading the way. Watch your head.
Once we were through the wildfire the trail lost some of its thigh burning elevation gains and followed a dried out/underground creek bed. Large boulders falling from the sheer thousand food rock faces litters the valley floor. The trail continues this line of travel for about a mile. It is still climbing, but more like a normal trail.
The last 2/3 miles regains and then surpasses the original thigh burn with hand over hand scrambles. The trail was definitely a playground, and we had tons of fun.Once we arrived at the lake the peaks surrounding the water climb straight up to the blue sky. The lake takes on a deep blue color not seen in many of the alpine lakes in the Olympic Park. We watched some Eastern Brooks swim in shallow water, and didn't even put together our poles. We stayed at the lake for 45 minutes, and trekked back down to the washed out road.
One hour bike to the trail head, two hour and twenty minute ascent to the lake, one hour descent back to the trail head, thirty minute coast to the car.
Comments