Surprise Lake

Getting There

Drive US-12 to Forest Road 1200, signed Tieton Road, just past Rimrock Lake east of White Pass. There is also be a sign for Rimrock Recreation Area. Tieton Road is paved and winds around Rimrock Lake before heading up the valley. Turn right onto Forest Road 1000. Follow it to its end and the South Fork Tieton (No. 1120) Trailhead (4,100 ft).

On the Trail

From the parking lot follow the road  southwest 0.25 mile to a gate and a sign for the South Fork Tieton Trail. Cross the river and wander through some private property meadows.  Follow the trail 6.5 miles, bearing left at the junction at 4,300 ft,  as it rises 1,800 feet to Surprise Lake (5,255 ft). The best water is at the outlet stream near camps at the east end of the lake. Find more camps above the shore and at the west end of the lake. Past the lake, continue ~5 miles clockwise  to complete the loop,  keeping right to stay on the main trail.  Then  hike 4 miles back along the "lollipop stick" to the trailhead.

Day trips can be made to Warm Lake from Surprise Lake, adding another 6 miles and 1,100 feet of gain round trip. Alternately, consider backpacking to Warm Lake and exploring further up the basin.

Mileage/Elevation:

• 13 miles round trip and 1,500 ft gain to Surprise Lake
• 19 miles round trip and 2,600 ft gain to Warm Lake

For more adventure, you can extend your trip to Conrad Basin. Bear left at the cairn ~1.2 miles northwest of Surprise lake and follow the boot path that ascends steeply into the basin. It's ~2 miles to Conrad Creek with waterfalls along the way.  In the basin, those with off-trail navigation skills can travel cross-country to Warm Lake or Cold Lake at the toe of Conrad Glacier. Climbers and scramblers may consider ascending Gilbert Peak, Gilbert Peak/Klickton Divide or Gilbert Peak/Conrad Glacier.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking
• Seasons: July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Length: 13.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft
• High Point: 5,260 ft

• Land Manager: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
  Goat Rocks Wilderness, Mount Adams Ranger District (GPNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12