GILLETTE LAKE: Pacific Crest Trail-section H

I've done this hike several times, the lake itself is a great spot for backpacker's looking for a nice camp spot, and there are several other well marked camp sites up the creek within 50 yards from the lake. It's a perfect in and out day hike as well, and since you are on the Pacific Crest Trail you can pretty much turn around whenever you feel like it. Depending on which access point you use,  you will hit a fairly moderate elevation gain, and more involved techical hiking (depending on the weather)  about 8 miles in as you are climbing up Table Mountain. If you are up for it, it is well worth the views.

The lake itself is only 2.9 miles in from the Bonneville Trailhead parking lot. The alternative starting point, (used mostly by PCT through-hikers) is just west of the the northend of the Bridge of the Gods. I usually park my car in the parking lot at the northend of the bridge, where the local honey farmers sell their goods. I can't confirm that this is "allowed" per say, but there are no "no parking" notices, and I've never had a problem. From there you walk to the trailhead, and the lake is about 4 miles in.

Regardless of which entry point you decide on, the hike itself is pretty simple, very family and dog friendly.  You lose the sound of the freeway sooner than you would think as most of the hike is heavy forest, (which makes it nice and cool in the summer months). The only issues we had on our summer overnight trips to the lake were the clear cut sections in direct sun, where the dogs got overheated pretty quickly. Chloe (the bassett) decided she was done walking for the day by sitting down in the middle of the trail and refusing to move when we were about 100 yards from the lake--loud and clear Chloe! She got a free fireman carry the rest of the way. We learned our lesson that maybe we need to take a little break before the clearcut sections to let everyone catch their breath and pound some water!

There is a wonderful campsite on the lake, with a huge fire pit, and a little private trail, you feel very secluded, and it's one of my favorite places to camp in the Gifford Pinchot. Others don't find it so "secluded and lovely", because of the view of powerlines and logging roads on the south side of the lake. Granted, it's not the most breathtaking view, but at least you are looking at all points of entry on the lake, which gives you a sense of security.

The lake is absolutely freezing, most of the time, but still worth a dip, and if you are savvy, a rod for the golden trout.

Several years ago, while doing the hike with 5 other PCT hikers, we saw the very large back end of a bear, approximately 2 miles in from the Bridge of the Gods access point. It was very exciting!

Here's the PHFG's page, for directions and more details http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Gillette_Lake_Hike
At the Bonneville Trailhead Access, leave your car empty and unlocked! Lots of break ins in this parking lot day and night!

Looking south during the last clearcut section before the descent to the lake

Best fire pit ever

View of the moraine while heading down to the lake

Tim exploring the different uses of the backcountry "Buff"

Heading back up the next morning

Notice the powerlines, this picture is taken from the logging road before you start the trail down to the lake.

That dang floatee never disappoints.

PCT markers on the trail.

SODA PEAKS LAKE TRAIL #133

Visit the Portland Hiker's Field Guide link for best directions to this Trailhead http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Soda_Peaks_Lake_West_Hike

Distance: 4.4 miles
Elevation gain: 1270 feet
High Point: 4780 feet

Free, sign in at trailhead, no pass required "self issued wilderness permit"

We took the west trail in to Soda Peaks Lake, it is the shorter option, and you most likely won't have to worry about the bridge being out, or trail damage/blockage.

This hike is best in the summer and early fall, otherwise you will be in and around snow. Our vehicle was swarmed by a murder of horse flies as we pulled up to the trailhead, at first we thought we had driven over a hornets next, as they were literally attacking the car. Don't let them scare you away, just grab your gear and run 20 feet! They didn't follow us, they were just pissed at the car. I would empty your car of everything before you head up the trail, and leave the doors unlocked, when you park on those forest roads, you never know who will want to look through your car, and its better to avoid having broken glass.   We saw a lot of scat on the trail, some cougar, some possibly cayote.

The hike is listed as "moderate" difficulty on the Portland Hiker's Field Guide website, but in my personal opinion, it's more like moderately difficult, especially with a 30-40 pound pack, you climb straight up and straight down to the gorgeous lake, with 360 views of the moraine and thick forest towering over you. The first campsite you will come to is the largest with the best access to the lake, nice fire pit as well, however there is a "no camping" sign posted specifically in this spot, so chose your own adventure on that. There are a number of good campsites at the lake, which lies nestled in a glacial cirque below the summit of an old volcano that erupted about 360,000 years ago.

Tim was a little bummed he did not have a fishing pole with him, and made use of my emergency fishing lure and an unfortunate beatle. He got several bites, but no dinner. The weather was perfect and sunny with spots of shade, followed by the largest wind/rain storm I have ever witnessed in a tent. Very very large branches were falling throughout the night all around our tent, so maybe it would be best to keep the tent in a clearing if you feel a storm coming in.  All in all, a short distance challenging hike, with one or two breathtaking views, and a gorgeous, relaxing destination. (As well as a possible visit from Sasquatch, I've never smelled anything like that in my entire life, enough to make me closer to a believer) We will be back.

After the first climb, a viewpoint of Gifford Pinchot forests

Maggles the super dog

The best 2 dollar camp purchase ever, floatee and outdoor bed, weighs next to nothing

Dang trees get out the way!

Here fishy fishy

We decided to take our chances and camp at the first main camp site, since it has such a nice access to the lake, not sure why it has the "no camping" marker. We figured the chances of a ranger coming down and booting us out to a different spot were small, but all the other sites were empty as well, so that wouldn't have been a problem.

Yukon and Chloe at the crest

Trailhead, safe distance from the flies.