Mildred Lakes — Friday, Oct. 24, 1997

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Mildred Lakes Starting Elevation: 2000 ft Highest Point: 4100 ft Lake Elevation: 3812ft Total Distance: 10 miles The Mildred Lakes trail is a non-maintained trail that tests the mettle of each person who attempts the hike to the lakes. To get to the trailhead, drive along highway 101 just north of Hoodsport to the Hamma Hamma River Road. Follow the road to a ""T"" and take the Right. Follow the gravel road to a dead end, just across a bridge (which spans a deep river canyon). The starting elevation is 2000 ft.. Even though the trail is non-maintained, the first mile has had a lot of the logs and branches cut and clipped back. Beyond that, the trail is substantially worse. Footing is a constant challenge and care must be taken due to the slippery roots all along the trail. Follow the main trail up the first ridge. It is easy to lose the trail, so look for orange blaze tape markers. The trail winds it’s way up and over two ridges, the first is easier than the second, but still a challenge. From the top of the first ridge, beautiful views of the Hamma Hamma River valley as well as Mt. Pershing are to be seen. Rockfall from Mt. Pershing is common and not a problem, but a bit disconcerting. The trail continues down the other side of the ridge to a stream. Day hikers often turn around here. The trail continues on across the stream, for those who dare. You can cross on a slippery log or wade the shallow waters - we walked the log across and waded on the way back… After this crossing, follow the trail north to another stream crossing. Cross the stream and follow the trail along a hillside. The trail traverses for several hundred feet and then ends at a small gorge. Down-climb using roots for support and climb up the other side. Here is where the work really starts! The trail continues up and up with only a couple areas wide enough to even try to camp. Lots of slippery roots and moss covered rocks and logs make footing treacherous! The trail is steep and periodic scrambling is required to cross steep, rocky sections. Once you make it to the top of this ridge, the trail is level for a few hundred feet and a good place to take a break! From the top of the ridge, you can see several peaks including Mt. Cruiser, Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Pershing. The destination is up the valley, just short of Mt. Lincoln, about a mile and a half away. After a break, start down the other side of the ridge. Follow the blaze markers! It is real easy to get lost right through this area. After climbing down a ways, the trail starts to move more or less horizontal. The area now being crossed is fairly marshy and would be a mosquito haven most of the spring and summer! There is standing water everywhere. Follow the trail as it meanders between and around pools of water, in a generally westward direction. Eventually you come upon a larger pond. This is the first of the formal Mildred Lakes. The trail continues around the lake and is well worth continuing to the bigger of the lakes. Footing is still treacherous and some log crossings ""hairy"", but doable. At the other end of the lake, cross yet another small stream and following the trail the final half mile to the main lake! There are not all that many camps available, but that shouldn’t be too much problem considering the work necessary to get to the lakes. The views are spectacular, far better than the views at the smaller lake. Right across the lake is Mt. Cruiser and Mt. Lincoln. It rained that night, so the hike back was a bit more interesting, but much the same, just reversed. All in all, the trip was a strenuous one with beautiful views and lots of challenges to overcome. Good advice for this trip is be in good shape, bring bug juice and stop to look around. Looking around while hiking will cause falls. Count on it! The total distance is 10 miles round trip.