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Alpinejo.tripod.com: Backcountry Trails Guide
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Washington Backcountry Trails

Sign a the trailhead

Wildflowers above Upper Lake Mildred

Loading up gear to camp one the back side

A friendly goat that joined me for breakfast

The inlet to Upper Lake Mildred

Sunset from the ridge top bivy

Spent the night up on the ridge above Flapjack Lakes

Mildred Lakes

Upper Mildred Lake

Definition of terms below
Location: Olympic Mountains
Directions: Get yourself over to the Olympic Peninsula and drive north on US 101 along Hood Canal to 14 miles north of Hoodsport. Take a left on the Hamma Hamma Recreation Area road No. 25 to the end at a concrete bridge over the Hamma Hamma River. Follow road #822 to the end to reach the end of the road and the trailhead.
Difficulty:  Strenuous
Elevation +/-  +2300 Feet (- 600 feet out)
Distance: 10 Miles Roundtrip
Rating: 7 out of 10, including climbing up to mountain tops
Fishing: good, take a small raft the upper lake is big lower lake no raft needed 
Scenery: great, big mountains surrounding it and mountains goats amongst rocks
Map: Printable Topo Map
Mildred Lakes are well worth a weekend visit. The trail is a bit of a struggle. Although this trail is not maintained with some navigation skill you will reach the lakes. I did this a after work on a Thursday night, it was dark most of the trip. Thank goodness for a headlamp.

The trail starts out straight uphill climb from the trailhead but then you begin a nice 3 mile meander through the forest. Then the trail dips down to a very nice creek, stay on the left side and go up until you hit the waterfall there was a nice log to cross the creek here. Plus this is where the trail continues and few decent camping spots lay here if you don't mind the foot traffic through your 'dining' room'. After the creek, the trail degrades rapidly and starts up a 1000 foot elevation gain in less than a mile, your best friend is an old log that you pull yourself up the hill with. Just pace yourself because it does not get any easier until you crest the top. 

The trail then drops to the first lake. The trails around the lake are numerous and somewhat confusing. I camped up at the upper lake after bushwhacking along the left side of the lower lakes. At daybreak I inflated my raft and set sail for the opposite side of the lake to find a great spot to call home for the night. I was the only one up there with a raft so I had the place to myself.

Fishing-- It was good. 11-13 inchers

Saturday I headed for the higher ground. I bushwhacked up the small valley at the end of the upper lake. It was great, walking through the wildflowers and then I even managed to get up into the snow. I climbed to the top and it was nearly dark. So I set up the Bivy Sack and took in the unobstructed views. There was a warm wind blowing out of the back valley. I think I could see the Flapjack Lakes from my vantage point. I spent the rest of the day reading God's word and soaking in all the beauty. 
I awoke to some rocks falling in the huge boulder field I was perched above. This place was also a home to a family of mountain goats. A cool sight, and a picture?

The trip out in the daylight was a breeze and it was also almost all downhill.

 Do it again? No

Please Note: There is not a maintained trail to these lakes, it may be a dangerous adventure if you are not an experienced backcountry nut and/or don't have the correct equipment.



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Although Alpinejo.tripod.com provides backcountry trail reports, you are responsible for your own safety. We will not accept any responsibility for injuries or rescues that may take place after reading this information.


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