Backpack - Dumbbell Lake

Meet at 8 AM Saturday at the Dog Lake trailhead, located within Dog Lake Campground.  It is reached from SR 12 by turning left a mile past White Pass.  From Enumclaw, the fastest driving route is east on SR 410, right at Cayuse Pass onto SR 123 and left at the T junction onto SR 12.  Each car parked at the trailhead must display a Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass.  There are two restrooms near the trailhead.

The hiking route is in good condition.  The first 1.3 miles are mostly level.  At that point there is a short detour to a log crossing over North Fork Creek, due to a washed out footbridge.  The stream is shallow enough to wade across with high top boots without getting wet feet.  Most of the elevation gain occurs over the next mile on a steady grade passing a viewpoint overlooking Dog Lake.  The last two miles are mostly level.

After we set up camp on Saturday, we'll have a trail lunch and then have time to swim in the crystal clear, warm water of Dumbbell Lake, before our camp dinner followed by smores around the campfire, if campfires are permitted.

On  Sunday there will be an optional 5.1 mile loop hike with 200 feet gain by multiple alpine lakes and meadows, with a possible swim at one of the lakes where we stop for our trail lunch. After returning to camp, there will be another opportunity for a swim in Dumbbell Lake before our camp dinner and another round of smores around the campfire.  Monday we have a camp breakfast,  pack up camp and then hike out by the same route we hiked in.

On the drive home there is the option of a meal stop in Greenwater or Enumclaw.

This  is an opportunity you do not want to miss.

On the drive home, there will be the option of a meal stop in Greenwater or Enumclaw.