I recently completed an overnight trip to Trout Lake with my 4 kids, ages 6-13. Most of the trip reports are for trips to the upper lakes, so I thought a family-oriented trip report for just Trout Lake would be useful to other parents of littles.
Road/trailhead This was the best-maintained forest road I’ve been on this year. I was able to drive 25+ mph all the way to the trailhead in the minivan. The last portion (Road 6835) is mostly one-lane, so be cautious around the curves. This was also the cleanest trailhead privy I’ve ever encountered (air fresheners!).
Campsites There are several campsites located on the opposite side of the trail from the lake, EXCEPT for the furthest one (see the photo of the sign). This campsite has a large log that can serve as a camp work surface. This site also has access to a “private beach” on the lake. The camping area also boasts not one, but TWO backcountry toilets. Be on the lookout for murderous squirrels gleefully dropping spruce cone bombs. One such projectile hit our tent so hard it knocked part of it loose. Most hikers on this trail are heading to the upper lakes, so we had the entire lake and campground to ourselves nearly the entire time we were there.
Water While the lake water is exceptionally clear, the beaches are muddy and the water can quickly become murky when entered. This can be remedied by utilizing large rocks just beyond the last camping area. One of these is an excellent jumping rock with access to deep water. If you have younger kids and/or like playing in moving water, the lake outlet is an excellent place to spend the afternoon. There is not a well-defined trail to the lake outlet, but it can be accessed through the avalanche chute just before the lake. Listen for the sound of moving water and follow it. Alternatively, you can follow the trail a half mile past the lake to Middle Copper Falls. This is also a great spot for water play.
Other stuff Some bugs (flies) and very few berries. Unfortunately when we arrived back to highway 2, it was closed due to fire and we had to take a 3-hour detour to get back to the Seattle area.
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