Revision as of 21:37, 1 February 2015

Looking across Black Lake from its south shore (bobcat)

Cranberry bogs north of Black Lake (bobcat)

The salal-lined Black Lake Trail (bobcat)

Sketch of the suggested loop (not a GPS track) (bobcat)

• Start point: Black Lake Trailhead
• End point: Black Lake-Josh's Trail Junction
• Trail log:
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 2.6 miles
• Elevation gain: 150 feet
• High Point: 135 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: All year
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: No

Hike Description

Black Lake Park is administered by the City of Ilwaco, Washington, and encompasses the dark-watered lake itself as well as a parcel of surrounding secondary forest. Commercial cranberry bogs stretch from the north end of the lake, the site of the Johnson Sawmill is at its southeast corner, and a few large Sitka spruce grace its shores. A flock of trumpeter swans calls the lake home in the winter months. This is a good fishing lake for trout, bass and perch, and the trails are worth a quick stroll in almost any kind of weather.

From the picnic area, walk north on the gravel path between Highway 101 and the west shore of the lake. A few gnarly alders line the shore. Pass a World War II/Coast Guard Memorial. The trail heads alongside Sandridge Road from its junction with 101. Continue past a pump house and go right at the sign for the Cranmac Cranberry Farm to walk along the north shore of the lake on a narrow paved road. Before a gate, turn right on a gravel track that extends down the lake’s east shore. A wall of greenery rises to the left: Sitka spruce, western hemlock, western red-cedar, wax-myrtle, salal, and evergreen huckleberry. Reach a gravel turnaround and boat launch area and pick up the hiking trail going into the forest past a map sign and a large Sitka spruce.

The trail undulates along the lake shore in coastal forest and passes a salmonberry bog. To do the upper trails, go left at the map sign at the Black Lake-Josh's Trail Junction. This trail undulates in secondary forest with large stumps. Tree roots across the trail have been sprayed white to warn bikers of the hazards. The path joins a road bed and reaches the gated road. Turn right on this road. You are now on the Salamander Trail.

Keep right at a fork in the alder-lined road and head up hill with a clearcut to the left. At a second unsigned fork, go right into the woods and then go right on a narrower track that becomes a footpath and drops in spruce/hemlock woods. Reach a junction: going right is a steeper, rooty footpath; keeping left is wider gentler trail – both lead to the lake shore. Join the wide Black Lake Trail and cross a creek. Pass the site of the Johnson Sawmill and keep right in a forest of alders below Ilwaco Middle/High School. Pass a massive spruce on the lake shore, and then rise to the end of a fence on the school grounds. Look for a narrow gravel trail here that switchbacks down to the lake and then the picnic area.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• Black Lake Trail Map

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Dogs on leash.
• Share trails with mountain bikers

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Black Lake Loop Hike

• Willapa Bay Walks

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Black Lake Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• none

More Links

• "A walk for all seasons: Ilwaco’s Black Lake Trail" (Coast Weekend)
• Black Lake, Washington (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
• “1997 Black Lake Survey: A Coastal Warmwater Fish Community Before the Introduction of Grass Carp” (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Contributors

• bobcat (creator)