Day Hike - Coldwater Lake

Meet at 9:30 AM at the Coldwater Lake Boat Launch parking lot, reached by  taking Exit 63 eastbound from I-5 through the town of Toledo on SR 505 to the T junction with SR 504, where you turn left onto SR 504 and continue to the turn to the left into the Coldwater Lake parking lots, which is just before crossing a bridge at the bottom of a hill.  The entry road follows a one-way loop route.  Take the second turn to the right into the Boat Launch parking lot.  Each car must display a Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass.  There are nice men's and women's restrooms there with flush toilets and hot air blowers.   

Our hike begins along the left side of the lake, starting at the boat launch.  It continues along the lake to the north end, where  it veers away from the lake through a meadowy area, before arriving at Sandy Beach, our lunch stop and turnaround point.  The hike is mostly through a forest canopy that grew up since the 1980 eruption.  Some stumps and logs can be seen along the trail that pre-date the eruption.  All current vegetation has arisen since then.

Following the hike we will caravan to Seaquest State Park, where two adjoining campsites are reserved for us for Saturday night.  After setting up camp, we will have a camp dinner with a campfire afterward over which we will roast smores and follow up with lively conversation.

This hike is part of the August 7-8 Mt. St. Helens Car Camp, involving day hiking the Coldwater Lake Trail on Saturday, camping Saturday night at Seaquest State Park, day hiking to Harry's Ridge on Sunday and having an optional meal stop  at Fire Mountain Grill on the drive home, with seating on the outside deck overlooking the Toutle River.

Anyone registering for the Saturday Coldwater Lake day hike must also register for the Sunday Harry's Ridge day hike and participate in the Saturday night encampment at Seaquest State Park.  Compliance is monitored by requiring leader permission for both day hikes.  Registration for the car camp is by registering for both related day hikes.  Full details of the car camp are on the Tacoma Branch Events Calendar.