Soda Peaks Lake — Friday, Aug. 20, 1999

Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region

This is a great dayhike for those visiting the Mt. St. Helens area. Driving time is 1 hour from Amboy, Wa. or 1 1/2hrs. from Vancouver or Woodland. We started on the trail section that connects to Forest Rd. 54. The trail winds through the forest and then climbs up a series of steep switchbacks to a short ridge hike. Then you go down quickly to the lake. Expect to climb over, under, and around at least a half dozen big trees. It is about 2 1/2 miles in to the lake.It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to get in. The lake has several good campsites and if the sun is out there is a great view of Mt. Adams. The rainbow trout are jumping...we caught a beauty.The huckleberries are just starting to get sweet. The bugs were not too bad either (always an important detail)! Several weekend hikers/campers were headed in while we were headed out so go early for the best sites.