I have always avoided this trail because it is supposed to be the most popular hike in the Mt Jefferson WA. The TH is quick access from the highway and gets you very close to the mountain, and it's a very easy and scenic hike. It did seem like an ideal daytrip for my in-laws who were visiting from CT.
The trailhead is just a short drive off of higway 22- about 20 minutes from the Detroit ranger station where you need to stop and pick up a special permit.
It wasn't very crowded on a Tuesday! We saw about 12 people on our 4 hour trip.
The trail is wide with few obstacles. Trees are big and the understory is airy and carpeted with moss.
 
The 700 foot elevation gain on the hike to the lake is barely perceptible-spread over 2.2 miles to the lake. My 3 1/2 year old hiked the whole trip out and back with barely a complaint - the ripe huckleberries and some oreos helped urge him along.
Pamelia creek rushes right along most of the trail.
I was most worried about mosquitos, so we covered ourselves in repellent, but had no bug problems on the trail. However, when we reached the lake, we were greeted by huge swarms of....
....butterflies! there were hundreds of them- it was very pleasant.
We even went for a swim:
Unfortunately Jefferson was completely covered in clouds. Otherwise a great family trip!
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