Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail

This epic little journey begins with a strenuous climb that rises roughly 1300 feet in only 1.6 miles to the junction with the Hemlock Trail. Along the way you will even find an "evil" little bench that invites you to stop and rest and possible give up! Don't do it!!! Don't give in!!! I say this, because at this paricular part of the journey sitting may sound so very good. Trust me, don't do it! Save it for the way back down. Keep going...

For those of you who perservere and push through to the junction on the Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail, know that the worst of the climbing is behind you (or below you if you look at the sign...) and the real rewards for your efforts are just ahead. Continuing on from this point we recommend you go to Pine Lake first, because it's mostly "downhill." So you will have to pass the side trail to Cedar Lake and continue forward another 1/4 mile or so to Pine Lake. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a boardwalk trail that goes left or right. We tried to go right, but in the early spring the water level is still high and the boardwalk sinks! Soon, we found ourselves hiking with wet shoes and socks, so we back tracked and went to the left. Going this way the trail leads to a small island which is also a backcountry campsite area. Complete with a bench to sit on and a small fire pit.

Along the way to the island, you will pass a rustic outhouse, but you will only find it if you're looking for "the moon". Hint: It is not in the sky!

This island respite gives you the opportunity to eat a light lunch/snack and recompose yourself for the journey ahead. It also offers a place to take in the solitude and beauty of still yet another wonder of the Pacific Northwest. On a hot summer day Pine Lake is a perfect place to jump in and cool off. It also offers the curious minds a chance to walk around and explore a little, or alot... Of the two lakes on Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail, in our opinion, we feel that Pine Lake is the most picturesque. The lake has pretty lilly pads and the water is crystal clear. It's truely worth the effort to get to this reward!

Leaving Pine Lake you will backtrack to the Cedar Lake sidetrail. Walking down to Cedar Lake you will come to another fork in the road. It doesn't matter which way you go as this trail is actually a loop around the entire lake. Along this loop can be found benches for resting, places to picnic, backcountry campsite's, and another rustic outhouse (remember the "moon"!). If you are not ready to rest yet, there is a half-mile side trail that climbs another 250 feet or so to reveal a panoramic view of Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands.

Leaving the area left us feeling both exhausted from the trek and invigorated by the beauty and serenity that continues to amaze us each time we take one of these hikes. At this point you are still faced with a mile and half hike back down to the trailhead, but this time it's all downhill!

Directions to Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail

Happy trails!

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