Summary:
This hike is no joke. Period. To get to the trail, you'll need to park and then bike/walk roughly 5 miles before getting to the trailhead. I chose to ride my bike and lock it up at the base of the trail (plenty of fallen logs to wire lock your bike to). While it's true you're getting to the trailhead via the old Dosewallips River Road and the tread is smooth, it does maintain a fairly steady climb, so don't underestimate the effort required to simply get to and from the trail.
The actual trail gets right down to business, climbing steeply in a formerly burned area of the valley. There isn't much shade for the first quarter of the hike. Within a half hour or so of climbing on or over many fallen trees, you'll be granted some shade, while the use of hands temporarily takes the back burner, thankfully.
A little further along the trail, you'll enter a flat area (relatively speaking), where your thighs and lungs can compose themselves. There are many spots on this third of the trail that are perfect for catching your breath along Constance Creek.
Soon enough, you'll begin your hand and feet ascent. The first third of the hike pales in comparison to the final third. You'll be utilizing rock, root, tree limb, and dang near twigs to assist with pulling yourself up parts of the trail. Again, this hike is no joke. But remember, by this point you're almost there.
Finally, you'll reach the prize. Snow-fed Lake Constance is a beautiful shade of blue, and there are a few spots to take a well earned break with a great view of the lake. Hundreds of brook trout were feeding right near the surface of the water, as I believe the snow and ice melted off the lake around a month ago. There was still a little snow on the north-eastern shore of the lake, near the rock slide area, but otherwise, the lakeshore was free of snow.
Notes:
- I'd highly recommend riding a bike to the trailhead if possible. After completing the hike, it was essentially a thirty minute coast back down to the parking area. I imagine walking back would have taken at least an hour and half if not more.
- Bring extra water/gatorade or a water filter. I made the mistake of only bringing two liters of water and a gatorade, but found that I sweat more than on any of my 25+ other hikes of my life.
- Keep focused while on the descent. Many spots that present a slip-hazard, although none with potentially fatal consequence (i.e. cliffs).
- 1 hour on bike to trailhead, 2 hour climb up, 1.5 hour climb down, 30 minute coast back to truck.
Instagram: neilstallings
Comments