Pro tip - this is a very nice isolated hike that will let you enjoy old growth and a mountain lake on a weekend while avoiding the crowds at Elinor, etc.  we had the trail to ourselves out and back.  Bees nest on the other side of the log crossing the trail is about 1.6 miles in. Step over carefully and quickly and they won’t bug you.  1300 feet up to a picturesque pass and down the same elevation to the lake.   Likewise on the way back.  An out of the way gem.  

Started at the TH on 2326. Road is accessible, Outback wagon did fine over/around deep seedy water erosion grooves in the road. TH unmarked but obvious, good amount of parking and the only car on a Monday morning. 2 other hikers throughout the day. Stepped in dog poop fifteen feet into trail, right in the middle, wtf people!! Super annoying. Very steady hike up, some switchbacks gaining elevation until the drop down to the lake. A little tough if you've been lazy during covid... great trail to get back into it though. Not many 'views' however winding around cliffs is fantastic, plenty of huge unique conifers, tons of avalanche lilies, blooming red columbines around the lake, western meadowrue. Satsop Lake was as pleasant as it gets, boyfriend & I hooked a few small rainbow trout, no brookies, lots of bites with worms & mallows. Misty but cleared up around 3, sun right over our heads. A bit muddy but expected in Spring. Hike back is identical, steady elevation gain, then drops. Wonderful hike!

Church Creek was an interesting hike.  Like a previous report stated it has no stunning views but the forest is beautiful.  I thought the lake was charming though.  Small, and we had a great lunch spot overlooking it, and the sun came out briefly.  No one on the trail but a couple fishing at the lake that had come in from the other road.  Not sure what what road it is?  Maybe 2372 but they said just a short hike to the lake.  The gentleman had caught about 6 fish.  

The book said it was 6 1/2 miles but i think it was a little longer.  It was kind of nice that half the up goes to the lake and the other half of the up comes back from the lake.  Flowers blooming alongside the trail, and easy to follow.  We got rained on coming back but not too heavy so all was good.  

The road is actually fine up to the 2-mile spur Road 600. There are deep drainage ditches that require a high clearance vehicle. I walked the two miles in, making this an 11-mile hike. Please note that the driving mileage in the hike description is highly inaccurate. Better instructions are found in the trip reports previous to this one. The trail itself is in fine condition. Watch for that giant hemlock on your left as you approach the high point of the hike!

Steep, but scenic hike. We went “backwards,” starting and the lake, then back. The trail is covered in roots and rocks. Hike goes up and then down again, so you will have elevation gain in two rounds.

Forest road to the trail was covered in potholes, but my Impreza made it okay. A high clearance vehicle would have been helpful.