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Trip Report    

Day Hike - Packwood Lake

July 27, 2025 very well maintained trail in excellent condition. Paved road all the way to trailhead. Vault toilet at trailhead. The trip can be completed as a loop by combining the Packwood Lake Trail and the nearby Pipeline Road. You may encounter bicycles and vehicles on the road though.

Mike McIntosh Mike McIntosh
July 27, 2025
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • This is a wide well maintained trail that is shared with equestrian travelers.  The 4.2 miles from the trailhead to the lake roll gently through shady forest. This trail is a very popular starting point for backpacking trips into the Goat Rocks wilderness.  The parking lot was about 3/4 full on the Sunday morning we visited at 8:30 a.m., evidently nearly filled by backpackers.  

Nearly all of the people we shared the trail with were either backpackers, fishermen, or both. What I found special about this trail was the variety of berries just coming into ripeness.  We found all of the following:  Mountain Blueberry; Red Huckleberry; Thimbleberry; Salmonberry; Swamp Currants; Trailing Blackberry.  I've found all of these on trails before, but never all on one trip!  We went out to the lake on the Packwood Lake Trail and returned on the Pipeline Road.  There is a spot on the Pipeline Road with a great view of the Southwest side of Mt. Rainier and Little Tahoma.  The pipeline road can be used by bikes and ATVs so be prepared for that.  We were actually passed by a Forest Service employee in a pickup.  All travelers were courteous though, and we had no issues.  If you want to avoid all motorized travelers go out and back on the Packwood Lake Trail, but then you might miss the Swamp Currants; Salmonberry; and Trailing Blackberry :)