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Offers upclose views of the river, the Bailey Range and in the spring the river bank is a sea of blue, fragrant lupine.


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Map Key

1.8

Miles

2.9

KM

Point to Point

652' 199 m

High

598' 182 m

Low

119' 36 m

Up

141' 43 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

6%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Due to road washout, access to this trail requires hiking or biking from Madison Falls trailhead.

Description

Since the removal of the Glines Canyon Dam, Lake Mills has drained and has been replaced once more by the Elwha River. This trail travels along what was once the lakeside, with views of the rocky lakebed. The trail begins near the parking area for the dam removal interpretive walk and lingers above the river for a short while before slowly turning down towards the lakebed. Some occasional views of the river are present here.

About a third of a mile along, the trail passes over a stream via a pair of logs. They can get slippery at times, but shouldn't be too difficult for most to cross. The trail continues to slowly approach the river as it heads through the regrowth. Parts of the trail can sometimes get muddy or washed out. Eventually, the trail slows its decline as it reaches the lakebed. It heads on a little longer until the trail suddenly stops, with an overlook of Boulder Creek, elevation 660 feet.

Flora & Fauna

Alder, madrona, fir. Osprey.

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W with improvements by Steve Macdonald and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 4 votes

#24755

Overall
  3.5 from 4 votes
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Trail Rankings

#1,127

in Washington

#24,755

Overall
2 Views Last Month
361 Since Apr 24, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

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Photos

The Elwha River flows alongside the Smokey Bottom (West Lake Mills) Trail.
Jan 28, 2017 near Port An…, WA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 8, 2021
Nancy Cordova
Jun 17, 2017
Robin Segert Nuzzo
Meadow of lupines!!!
May 14, 2017
Tyler Jaskey
2mi
Apr 16, 2017
Andrew Harper
1mi
Jan 28, 2017
Ryan W
1h 00m
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