Lookingglass Lake via PCT 01-Sep-2012
Posted: September 2nd, 2012, 6:39 am
I hiked to Lookingglass Lake (below Mt. Adams) last year via the Stagman Ridge trail and was truly impressed by what a beautiful little lake it is. Looking for a different way to visit Lookingglass, I came across Hike #62 in Nelson's Day Hiking South Cascades which has you reaching the lake from the W via the PCT. By using part of what was the original (1960s) alignment of the Round-the-Mountain (RTM) Trail, I was able to make a partial loop out of this hike. Here, the PCT starts from a TH off Rd 521 (just off Rd 23) about 13.5 mi N of Trout Lake and goes about a mile before entering the Mt. Adams Wilderness.
Ultimately you'll climb 2200' but the PCT is so gently graded and in such good condition, you hardly notice. The first 5 miles or so are through a low-undergrowth forest. Best water in this section is where the PCT crosses the upper-most reaches of the White Salmon River.
Eventually, the PCT reaches a junction with the RTM and Stagman Ridge trails. I took the Stagman Ridge trail down to where it makes a sharp right turn just at the edge of a creek. From there, I turned on to the clearly visible (on the far side of the creek) alignment of the original RTM trail heading E. It's easy to follow and makes a few minor (and one not so minor) creek crossings as it heads toward the lake.
Lookingglass Lake is in a shallow bowl just below the trail about 0.7 mi E of the Stagman Ridge trail.
There was only one group camped at the lake when I got there (later I would meet several more backpacking groups enroute to the lake), so I had the lake pretty much to myself for lunch (it also took the mosquitoes most of my lunch break to find me). After lunch, I went NE on Trail 9A (old RTM trail) to connect with the "new" RTM trail at about 6000'. Along the way, I caught a view of St. Helens,
and passed through fields of fragrant lupines.
About 0.5 mi W of the 9A/RTM trail junction, the trail leaves the trees and traverses a steep slope, which affords views of Mt. Hood to the S,
and of Mt. Adams looming above you.
A little further W I came to Horseshoe Meadow (mosquitoes were a lot more aggressive here) with its truly iconic view of Adams.
From here, it was all downhill through a forest softened by the afternoon light.
I had seen no one in the morning and one group at the lake, but on the way down in the afternoon I passed a half dozen groups of backpackers heading (mostly) for Lookingglass Lake. I can understand why as it's a truly beautiful destination for either a dayhike or a backpack. And today's weather was, of course, totally bluebird and perfect for hiking. All told, 15 mi RT and 2500' EG.
Ultimately you'll climb 2200' but the PCT is so gently graded and in such good condition, you hardly notice. The first 5 miles or so are through a low-undergrowth forest. Best water in this section is where the PCT crosses the upper-most reaches of the White Salmon River.
Eventually, the PCT reaches a junction with the RTM and Stagman Ridge trails. I took the Stagman Ridge trail down to where it makes a sharp right turn just at the edge of a creek. From there, I turned on to the clearly visible (on the far side of the creek) alignment of the original RTM trail heading E. It's easy to follow and makes a few minor (and one not so minor) creek crossings as it heads toward the lake.
Lookingglass Lake is in a shallow bowl just below the trail about 0.7 mi E of the Stagman Ridge trail.
There was only one group camped at the lake when I got there (later I would meet several more backpacking groups enroute to the lake), so I had the lake pretty much to myself for lunch (it also took the mosquitoes most of my lunch break to find me). After lunch, I went NE on Trail 9A (old RTM trail) to connect with the "new" RTM trail at about 6000'. Along the way, I caught a view of St. Helens,
and passed through fields of fragrant lupines.
About 0.5 mi W of the 9A/RTM trail junction, the trail leaves the trees and traverses a steep slope, which affords views of Mt. Hood to the S,
and of Mt. Adams looming above you.
A little further W I came to Horseshoe Meadow (mosquitoes were a lot more aggressive here) with its truly iconic view of Adams.
From here, it was all downhill through a forest softened by the afternoon light.
I had seen no one in the morning and one group at the lake, but on the way down in the afternoon I passed a half dozen groups of backpackers heading (mostly) for Lookingglass Lake. I can understand why as it's a truly beautiful destination for either a dayhike or a backpack. And today's weather was, of course, totally bluebird and perfect for hiking. All told, 15 mi RT and 2500' EG.