Blue Lake Trail
DESCRIPTION:
Thiis is the official trail to Blue Lake but it is the harder and more roundabout way to reach the lake. First it's a rather long drive to Grouse Ridge Campground. Then you need to drop steeply down 250' from the road to the campground to reach the junction of the Blue Lake Trail. To the lake is still another 360'.
This is doable, but as the lake sits on private logging company lands, logging roads coming up from Rucker Lake reach nearly to the lake. If the roads are gated or blocked this is still the easier hike.
Even hiking up old roads or fishermen trails up Rucker Creek from that lake is only about 3/4 mile and used fairly often.
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7500'-5920' | As the lake sits on private logging company lands, logging roads coming up from Rucker Lake reach nearly to the lake. If the roads are gated or blocked this is still the easier hike.
Even hiking up old roads or fishermen trails up Rucker Creek from that lake is only about 3/4 mile and used fairly often. |
DIRECTIONS:
To Blue Lake Trail
Drive up the Grouse Ridge Campground Road until you reach the easily recognizable saddle and meadow just before the campground. The Grouse Ridge Trail connects to the road here. Follow the Trail south steeply downhill to the Blue Lake Trail junction - a steep 1300' drop.
Alternative: With a good topographic map turn right off of the Grouse Ridge Road onto Road #14.4. The road may be blocked or gated closed but the walk to the trail tie is much easier than the drop and climb from the campground as it cuts out nearly 1000' of hill.
ACTIVITIES:
Fishing (Rating: Good)
See links below.
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Good)
This is a good hike for a cardiovascular workout and to lose the crowds - until you reach the lake and find that others scrambled in from the bottom. I like the other options.
