Hiking Near Ashford

[BreezyD]

I am heading down to Ashford with some friends Saturday and Sunday and am looking to get up early Sunday am for a stroll in the hills away from the roar of the Labor Day crowd.

 

Any suggestions?

[Greg_W]

lake Christine is nice.

[ogre]

I second the Lake Christine trail. Wonderful view of the Mt. in that area. Also, how about High Rock Lookout? There is also another trail system around that area, not sure what it's called though.

[BreezyD]

Either one sounds like exactly what I am looking for.

 

Thanks all!

 

B

[Off_White]

better still is the hike on the other side of the valley. You take forest road 52, which crosses the nisqually and heads off to turn into the Skate Creek Road, an awesome shortcut to Packwood. There's a dirt road that turns off to the right and heads up the hill, the same little pocket range that includes High Rock Lookout. Check out some maps to get more detail. You'll take the trail past Pothole Lake, up the hill to Bertha Mae (wonderful lake) and continue on to Granite Lake (the best of the bunch), all of about 2.5 miles in from the trailhead. There's some awesome swimming with a sandy bottom (keep looking until you find this spot), great views, and few people. I've been up here when the sign was out declaring Paradise full, and seen no one. A great dayhike for minimum effort.