Not exactly right description

The trail was awesome! Only the website said that it makes loop back to parking lot on the other side of the lake and it is not true. In order to go back to the parking lot, we had to turn around and go back same way as we came in. The only trail on the other side of the lake goes to higher lakes and away. With going on the other side of the lake, it was a 16 mile hike. Not a 9 mile hike. Keep that in mind. Or you can turn around as soon as you reach the lake by the old ranger's station. That probably would be a 9 mile hike when you back to the parking lot. As soon as you reach the lake, you see Johnson Mt. above it. To see Mt. Rainer above this lake, you will have to go to the opposite side of the lake and it is approximately 3.5 miles away from the ranger's station. You will have to fill out and carry with you part of a wilderness permit to avoid getting fined if you see a ranger. Yes, you will need one even if you not staying to camp and just hiking during the day. Our dog absolutely loved this hike and went for a swim at the lake as well. A lot of people with dogs in this area. Bring approximately one gallon of water if hiking with someone and the dog. We used it all on a hit day.

Aug. 04, 2021