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Short access to the Pacific Crest Trail through colorful alpine meadows.


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Map Key

3.2

Miles

5.2

KM

Point to Point

5,061' 1,543 m

High

4,048' 1,234 m

Low

1,073' 327 m

Up

130' 40 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · Swimming · Views

Family Friendly The hike to beautiful Placid Lake is short enough for little kids.

The usual federal wilderness area regulations and restrictions apply here. There may also be additional wilderness-specific restrictions in force; check with the district office if in doubt. Practice Leave No Trace (LNT) backcountry skills and ethics. Camp 100 feet from fragile areas; bury human waste at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. This trail is usually closed by snow from November to June. Large patches of snow can linger into August.

Description

This heavily used trail begins at the Placid Lake Trailhead on the northwest side of Indian Heaven Wilderness. It starts by traveling southeast through large timber, passes Placid Lake, then the intersection with the Chenamus Lake Trail #29A, and then continues up the west slopes of Bird Mountain to where it ends on the Pacific Crest Trail (USFS #2000). This trailhead and trail can be quite busy on summer and Fall weekends - visit mid-week if possible. Mosquitos are also bothersome during the high summer months. Visits between early September and late October are ideal for Fall colors.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Gifford Pinchot

Shared By:

BK Hope

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#16362

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  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#778

in Washington

#16,362

Overall
2 Views Last Month
389 Since Nov 4, 2017
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Photos

Mount St. Helens from the Placid Lake Trail
Nov 4, 2017 near Carson, WA
Placid Lake
Nov 4, 2017 near Carson, WA
Placid Lake on a cold Fall morning
Nov 4, 2017 near Carson, WA
Fall colors along the Placid Lake Trail
Nov 4, 2017 near Carson, WA

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