Day Hike - Dumbbell Lake

Meet at 9 AM Monday at the Dog Lake Cmpground trailhead parking lot on the north side of SR 12, a mile east of White Pass, reached from Enumclaw by heading east on SR 410, right at Cayuse Pass onto SR 123 and left onto SR 12 at the T junction.  From Olympia, drive south on I-5 and left onto SR 12 (past Chehalis).

Parking is very limited at the trailhead, so carpooling is very important for this hike.  The trail is well-maintained with a comfortable grade, except for a short section at the 1.3 mile point where a washed out footbridge has been replaced by a shallow ford reached by a short detour, where a foot-wide log without a railing is an alternative option to cross the 20 feet wide stream.  At this point time will be allowed for those who choose to change footwear to ford the stream.  In multiple crossings of this stream last year with several different groups, everyone made it across safely each time, some by fording and some using the log.  This minor obstacle seems to have caused this trail to be less crowded than others in the area, which helps us in finding trailhead parking.  A Northwest Forest, or the equivalent, must be displayed by each car at the trailhead parking lot.  There are two restrooms at the trailhead campground, but none on our hiking route.  On the drive home we'll have an optional refreshment stop in Greenwater at Wapiti Woolies, which has ice cream, or the Naches Tavern, which has food, or both.