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WHIDBEY ISLAND  WASHINGTON  USA

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BLUE LAKE RIDGE

THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY DAD, JACK ALBRIGHT 1924-2001

     Way back in July of 1967 I heard of Blue Lake for the first time.  My dad and a couple friends at our little country church decided to take a group of Sunday School kids on a high country outing.  On that trip I learned several things: that I love the high country, that backpacks can be miserable, and I learned just how strong my dad was.  Many changes have happened in the years since that July weekend, but my love for the high country remains and I have made the trip to Blue Lake countless times, finally introducing my own sons to it back in 1991.  My present backpack is far more comfortable than the homemade rucksack I had as a 12 year old, but the years have added their own aches and pains.  It seems no easier now than it did then.  My dad is still a strong man, except now he has gone to his eternal reward and his strength resides mostly in my memory.  But how he managed to carry his backpack plus a large heavy box of groceries in his arms up that trail still boggles my mind.  For many years dad didn't go to Blue Lake, he was busy with too many other things.  But in 1993 he was persuaded to accompany us again and made the trip five more times before he passed away.  I will never forget those times and I will always remember him sitting at our favorite campsite, fiddling with the fire.  Blue Lake is a very special place to me.

     It isn't a terribly difficult trail but it is fairly steep for the first mile and a half.  A few years ago the Forest Service sold some timber to loggers and the once pristine trail now crosses three clear cuts and intersects the road four times.  The old trail is now set aside for ORV use but is still in good condition for hiking.  Most hikers now take the shorter 2.5 mile trail from the branch road off FS Road 23.  The hiker trail is much steeper than the old trail but it is a mile shorter as well and starts a good deal higher on the mountain.  The trail head is about 17 miles south of Randle on FS Road 23 in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in south central Washington.  The lake lies at 3900 feet elevation just a bit closer to Mount Adams than Mount Saint Helens.

     For a great alternative approach to Blue Lake and the entire Blue Lake Ridge trail complex, continue south on FS Road 23 to FS Road 21.  On the Gifford Pinchot National Forest map you will see the Blue Lake Ridge Trail head near the Cat Creek Campground.  Continue on FS Road 21 to the junction with FS Road 78.  Turn left on 78 and another left on 7812.  Just a short way up 7812, the trail crosses the road and provides access.  I am not sure of the road number but it swings up to the right on a curve about 4 miles up 7812.  Turn right there and climb a very rough road to the unmarked trail head near Mouse Lake.  Another access point is found on FS Road 78 at the pass near Hamilton Buttes.  The trail there is the Blue Lake Butte Trail.  I have not been on it for years but as I recall it is constant but not too steep and well marked.  Another approach is by the Yozoo Creek Trail, also accessible from FS Road 78 from the North Fork of the Cispus, FS Road 22.  The lake can also be approached from the Bishop Ridge Trail.  This is an extremely steep and rugged trail that intersects the Blue Lake Ridge trail high above the lake.

     The Gifford Pinchot National Forest trail maps are very good and show the entire trail complex very well.  Also, the Green Trails Maps are excellent, and show contour lines.  The area immediately around Blue Lake is designated wilderness now so please stay on the trails with your ATVs.  Blue Lake is a rare jewel.  Let's help keep it that way.

     From Seattle, go south on Interstate 5 to US Route 12.  Head east to Randle.  Turn south on FS Road 23.