Hike of the Week: Bear Lake
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Bear Lake
Barely any hikes now at Bear Lake
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
Quick Facts
Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls
Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Roundtrip: 4.0 miles
Elevation gain: 500 feet
Green Trails Maps: Silverton WA- No. 110
Contact: Darrington Ranger District (360) 436-1155; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs or Verlot Public Service Center (summer weekends) (360) 691-7791
Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 15.6 miles turning right onto FR 4020. Follow this gravel road for 2.7 miles to a junction. Bear right onto FR 4021 and continue for 1.4 miles to a junction before a washed-out bridge. Park here on road shoulder.
Notes: NW Forest Pass required when trailhead is accessible.
The road to the Pinnacle and Bear Lake trails has been washed out for years. It’s anybody’s guess when the Forest Service will finally get around to repairing it. But, why wait? Here’s the silver lining to the washout. Folks have been shunning these trails, meaning that the normally busy lakes are now seeing a fraction of the visitors they once entertained. And as far as Bear Lake which was once an extremely short jaunt—now with a few added miles of easy road walking—it’s a real hike!
So start by walking up the now quiet forest service road easily getting around the cause of the road closure. Gain about 400 feet in your 1.4 mile road walk-a quite agreeable grade. Come to a large trailhead sign bearing few if any notices and information. Now take off on real trail passing through a gateway pair of massive cedars. The trail gently winds beside a small gurgling creek coming to a junction after about a .25 mile. Bear right to Bear Lake. After a near level .25 mile or so come to the placid lake. Ringed with ancient forest and lined with skunk cabbage, horsetails, and huckleberries, Bear’s surroundings are far from bare.
The lake makes for a great place to let the dog take a splash or for the kids to explore the intricacies of nature. Lounge long and savor the moment. Once the road is repaired, Bear will once again be bearing scads of people—at times simply unbearable for those who seek a quiet refuge. And yes, now that the lake sits in a quiet state, there’s always a good chance for seeing one of those furry bruins that this lake is named after.
If you’ve barely worked up a sweat and desire to hike more—consider continuing to Pinnacle Lake. But keep in mind that early in the summer a good portion of this trail remains snow covered and the tread that isn’t—is rooty and rocky and difficult for children.
For information on lodging and other attractions near Bear Lake visit Click here for link to Snohomish County
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