Start at Sand Lake trailhead and ride uphill to Brooklyn Lake, then decend on the return. Overall a fantastic trip. Sheep Lake Trail is a 8.0 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ashford, Washington that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Good scenery and high elevations. A little muddy in parts and some patches of snow on the side of the trail still. The rail trail is a missing link between the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and the West Virginia Mon River Rail Trail System. The Fern Lake trail is steep and rocky but the reward at the end is paradise. En route to the lake we looked back admiring the view of Chinook Pass above the sensuous curve of SR 410 and the diagonal line of PCT contouring the still-flowered hillsides. Learn more about hiking in Rocky › Bear Lake Trail Guide - Summer (PDF 3.8 MB) Bear Lake Trail Guide - Winter (PDF 3.9 MB) Fall River Trail Guide (PDF 3.3 MB) Kawuneeche Valley Trail Guide (PDF 1.4 MB) Longs Peak Trail Guide (PDF 0.2 MB) Wild Basin Trail Guide - Summer (PDF 0.7 MB) Wild Basin Trail Guide - Winter (PDF 3.1 MB) This was a great hike to take my reluctant teens on. We had to risk it. The lake was gorgeous and the hike was not strenuous to get there. Ended up on this trail by accident when we missed the turn for the Naches Loop trail. The entire length of the trail was still ‘green’, which is not always a given this late in July. The advantage to hiking to Sheep Canyon from this location is you get to enjoy Blue Lake along the way. Snoqualmie Ranger District As for wildlife we saw a cascades frog, many tadpoles, a lake trout, and a few hawks. Unfortunately the restrooms were closed in the parking lot. Awesome! Would not recommend this trail for little ones as you constantly have to watch your footing for trip hazards. 3.2 mile hike to a secluded lake filled with brownies and stunning views along the way. The lake is pristine and provides an ample reward for the hard climb. A short hike to Sheep Lake, where hikers can stay for the day, camp for the night, or continue on to Sourdough Gap. Kids (6 and 8) were able to do it with no issues, just some hand holding here and there where it's a bit rocky and steep. The upper put in is at Sheep Lake and is well above tree line where the river is crystal clear, very tight, yet low volume; more creek than river, and runs 34 miles to the Skwentna River. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The first half is above the road, yet still some nice views, then you switch up through some trees - there’s still a tiny bit of snow off trail - and finally descend to the lake through a little meadow of wildflowers. The hike to Sheep Lake is a 1.8 mile gentle climb on a good trail. There are several hidden gems to explore around the lake. The first mile traverses a steep slope above Highway 410. Good to go and spend the day there. It was absolutely beautiful. On July 4th weekend in 2016, the trail was intermittently under snow south of Sheep Lake. Go north on State Highway 123 about 16 miles to the junction with SR 410. The temperature got really cold but the bugs stayed away thankfully. We hiked around it and there were some campers. Started out cold but warmed up along the route. Little Sheep Lake lies just two miles north along the trail. It was super dusty. Everyone we encountered demonstrated perfect CV19 trail etiquette. My dog swam for at least an hour in the clear water and I just stood there in awe. Sheep Lake/Sourdough Gap is borderline too popular, but it is somewhere we have wanted to go for a long time. Hiked in on Thurs 7/30 and camped for two nights. Eventually we made our way up to a nice rock with a view of the lake and had lunch before heading back down. Cons: difficult to find parking, first 3/5 of trail are above a road, this section of the trail is very dusty. Sheep lake was absolutely amazing! From Enumclaw, drive east on SR 410 for about 50 miles to Chinook Pass. A spur right leads up to a camp site. We did this on a mid week expecting a lighter crowd. The Sheep Lake Trail #848 begins at an intersection with the Cliff Creek Trail #840 and ends at Sheep Lake. This is a very challenging trail. Trail Maps. We stayed overnight. Patricia Coulthard. It was remarkable how many people were hiking up on Saturday as we were hiking out. We saw a handful of people descending as we made our way up to the lake, and a few backpackers around the lake, all spread out so it felt like we had the lake to ourselves. The hike from the lake to the gap offers increasingly picturesque views of the south Cascades with every foot of altitude you gain. Bighorn sheep visits to Sheep Lakes are hit-and-miss, but generally occur between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Groups between one and sixty sheep move from the ridge on the north side of the valley, across the road and stay up to two or three hours before reversing the trip back to the high country. There is a great map at the beginning of the trailhead that shows where dogs are allowed and where they are not. The trailhead is on the east end of the parking lot behind the vault toilets.From Naches, drive west on Highway 12 to the junction with SR 410. Went on the trail with our 3, 5, & 9 year old. It's close to seven miles up to Sheep Lake with some tough climbs, many of which are made even more difficult due to large rocks and roots. Continue about 0.2 miles to Pacific Crest Trail parking lot, which is the second large parking lot on the left side of the road. The foliage was starting to turn colors, which was fantastic! Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. very beautiful and peaceful. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District, Day & Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Washington by Adrienne Schaefer, Buy the Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. We walked up through the meadows and explored the many creeks that run through it. Did this trail on 7/30 (Thursday) around 6:30 am and parking lot had a few cars. Such a cute lake. Fantastic trail. The trail to Sheep Lake, however, does pass by some beautiful cliffs underneath where that scramble would have taken us. Rainier and Naches Peak.After the traverse, the trail turns north leaving the highway and the road sounds behind. on the trail nannie ridge to sheep lake and back 9 miles round trip, 1,800 feet of elevation gain, 5,800 ft high point. It got pretty steep in places, therefore not great for littles. However, when you get to the lake, the color turns to a brilliant green. Sheep Lake is in a beautiful setting, regardless of what season you have chosen to hike here. The trail leads over this saddle to the left and descends for about a mile, along cliffsides and scree fields, to Sheep Lake -- it's about 2 miles total from the campground to this lake, plus another .5 mile or more depending upon how far around the lake you care to go. The hillside is decorated with wildflowers in the summer and red huckleberry plants in the fall. Great for kids too! The trail then continues north to Sand Lake. I like as much grip as possible so I wore my Oboz but running shoes would do fine. Easy hike and great views. Hike by WTA Correspondents: 269S map. One of my favorite hikes. The trailhead is located at the horse loading ramp at the east end of the parking lot. The trail is not crossed by a single road and can be accessed by "feeder" trails usually identified by the number #216 and a letter of the alphabet. These are really pretty and season permitting, they are a great place to see some wildflowers. There was one group of people who were camping way to close to the lake and playing music which could be heard everywhere, otherwise people had good trail etiquette. Access other trails (e.g., Quealy Lake) from Sheep Lake Trail. Turn onto SR 410, and drive about 45 miles to the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot, on the right side of the road about 0.2 miles from the top of the pass. There are a couple of narrow spots early on that might make one nervous, but not too bad. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from July until October. Sheep Lake is also a worthy destination for adults who want a pause from daily life to enjoy the outdoors. Wonderland Trail to Camp Summerland and Lake, Pacific Crest Trail: Chinook Pass to White Pass, Crystal Lake via Sourdough gap and Sheep Lake, Wonderland Trail: Summerland, Indian Bar, Cowlitz Divide, Wonderland Trail: Panhandle Gap and Sarvant Glacier. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Great trail with nice views and the reward of a lake. The trail covers 9.2 miles of alpine meadows and lakes as well as some sub alpine forests. The trail enters a forested area interspersed with small meadows. The hike to Sheep Lake is a 1.8 mile gentle climb on a good trail. We agreed that next time we come, we’ll bring Dad and our backpacking gear to spend the night. It seems this lake has become too well known. Explore the best trails in Las Vegas, Nevada on TrailLink. After enjoying the lake, retrace your steps to return to your car.WTA Pro Tip: If you are planning to backpack, finding a campsite should be your first priority. Coordinates: 62.14672, … Note some big trees in … A perfect day hike or easy backpack for those interested in exploring the area north of Mt Rainier near Chinook Pass. Trail was very busy but once we got to Sheep Lake we were able to find a great camping site away from most people. Met a lot of people coming down from sheep lake as we were going in. Great for lunch or a swim. One of my favorite hikes I’ve been in even though it’s so short. After that you go into the forest and pass through a few small meadows. Enumclaw Service Center Went on a Monday and there were a handful of people with their pups passing by on the trail but not busy at all. I couldn’t help but take a little dip in the lake before we made our way back down. They are all blooming right now, which coupled with sunny skies and the clear green lake, made for some magic. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. The trailhead is on the east end of the parking lot behind the vault toilets. Trail follows the highway but it’s high up and you can’t hear traffic. Easy hike, took my 5 kids up (12, 10, 8, 5, and 3) and we had a blast! Sheep Lake … The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. … Got to the trailhead around 10:30AM and the parking lots were full with people parking on the street. It was not too steep, and there were some great views all along the way. There were some areas that had some “sketchy footing” if you had limited mobility, hip or knee issues or bad eyesight. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. I spoke with two hikers that did an overnight and were coming out as we were going in. It’s 1.5 easy miles to Sheep Lake (N 46° 53′ 38″, W 121° 30′ 10″) on the Pacific Crest Trail, our first stop. Most riders will end up hiking the majority of the 2800 ft. climb. Plenty of wildflowers and a lake perfect for swimming in the summer, as well as small, unmarked trails branching through the area for those that like to explore. You’ll just jump on the trail about .25 in and avoid the snow and packed parking at Tipsoo Lake. beautiful trail, kid friendly, it always feels colder than I expect it to. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association WTA’s Commitment to Stand Against Racism. You may hear the happy sounds of children playing in the water or see hikers lazing on the rock outcropping where the trail comes to the lake. Sheep Lake is a green gem that pops into view as you near it. Pros: gorgeous of course, beautiful flora in bloom, not too steep but not too flat 3rd time hiking it and this was the most snow ive seen. I can’t wait to come back and camp :). The trail heads up in silver fir/noble fir woods with some western white pine, crosses a creek, and Sheep Canyon appears on the left. The trailhead is on the east end of the parking lot behind the vault toilets.From Packwood, drive east on Highway 12 to the junction with State Highway 123. I would definitely recommend it to friends and I will be back in the fall! If you get to the Tipsoo Lake parking lot, you have gone too far. You will also be treated to glimpses of Mt. Sheep Lake is a picturesque alpine lake guarded by jagged-edged ridges. As you approach Blue Lake from a distance, it really looks blue. Turn right onto SR 410. This made it hard to find the trail from time to time, but for the most part, it's easy enough to spot the track itself or else the way was marked with cairns. It was a fairly easy hike in and I think most kids could do it without problems. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/sheep-lake-trail This outcropping is the perfect place to take a break, while the nearby beach may tempt you to take off your boots and wade in the crystalline water. Very doable for kids. I don’t think I’d do again but was a nice one to do before Naches loop! Once at the gap, you will be rewarded with grand views of Sheep Lake on one side and the Chrystal Lakes basin on the other side. I hiked alone for some “me” time and I didn’t encounter another human being the entire time. We went on a gorgeous Thursday afternoon, started hiking around 4pm. Multiuse out-and-back trail that traverses montane forest and subalpine meadows. Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410, Mt. Sheep Lake trail runs from near Brooklyn Lake around the east end of Browns mtn passing Twin Lakes then turning west on its way to Sheep Lake. Beautiful views and Great Lake to spend some time at. Perfect for a beginner backpacking trip. It makes a good destination for children, especially if you let them swim, play in the meadows, or explore the small rock outcroppings. Sheep Lake (Chinook Pass) A beautiful easy-going stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail that leads to huckleberries and a lovely alpine lake before reaching the saddle known as Sourdough Gap. All downhill headed back which is always nice! Saw no one on the way out and a few on the way back. Sheep Lake is also a worthy destination for adults who want a pause from daily life to enjoy the outdoors. The trail to Sheep Lake via Windy Saddle is an impressive journey through a recent burn area turned wildflower spectacle, into pine and alpine fir forest, and up through pristine alpine lakes. Although the trail dips in and out pockets of trees, the views are quite good. The white on the lakes appears to be ice. The way to the lake gains very little elevation making it ideal for children and hikers-getting up there. MY ACCOUNT LOG IN; Join Now | Member Log In. The hike to Sheep Lake is a 1.8 mile gentle climb on a good trail. The views are gorgeous and worth the effort. I would like to go back, camp for the weekend and enjoy he lake. The lake is beautiful and there is a huge meadow to explore. Would do again! The lake is awesome. Trail is also rough in spots. The campsites around the perimeter are ideal for base camping or for backpacking with children. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. The Four Trailheads are as follows: Lake Marie Trailhead (41.3315675,-106.3253345) Mirror Lake Trailhead (41.338138,-106.3235919) Lewis Lake Trailhead (41.3586405,-106.2944908) The climb up is pretty tight and passing can be tricky with dogs. I assume the times we are in currently play into larger crowds given the limited travel ability and limited jobs. The lake at the top is great. At the Toutle-Sheep Canyon Trail Junction, go right on the Sheep Canyon Trail and cross the creek on a footbridge. There are better parking lots to use around the bend in the road. Narrow so a little hard to pass others, especially with dog. On the way up, or on the way back, be sure to look for the Sheep Creek Falls. The trail offers spectacular views of the top of the talus slopes towards Storm Ridge and the East and West Beckwith. Super crowded much like a Saturday we have done in the past. It is named for a lake near the center of the trail. There is an alternative return hike available. GE View of Sheep Lake Trail 01: This images is facing east and shows the trail passing Basin, Shelf and Gem Lakes. On the way up you are on a ridge that overlooks a huge valley and you get fantastic views of the sourounding mountains. Bugs were really bad though and trail was dusty. Options exist from a direct 1.6 mile route, to an incredible 7.5 mile loop. Start early, and when you arrive, pitch your tent and then enjoy the lake. Sometimes rocky and rooty, with some loose climbs. For stretches throughout, it was running with water from snowmelt and afternoon storms. The Sheepskin Trail is a 34-mile rails-to-trails project currently under development in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Bathroom in the parking lot is empty but was super gross. Seattle, WA 98104. Wonderful lake!!! The trail had a gradual climb, coming back its nearly all downhill. Nothing too bad because there was a gentle breeze. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. The trail is pretty dusty on the exposed parts. You can get a bird’s eye view of the deep valley of the Rainier fork of the American River. This is a very popular destination, and the campsites fill early. 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