This was both an area exploration and rehab hike. I had never hiked in Goat Rocks, and it was really great. The trail to Packwood is beautifully maintained and quite a comfortable walk. 

Camp at Packwood Lake if you A) want a simple and attainable walk to an amazing and huge lake and B) Desire to absolutely not be alone. When I started today at 10am, there were at least 30 backpackers getting ready at the trailhead. I lost count of how many others I saw all day. Everyone was very courteous. As a bonus, I encountered two equestrians on the way in also. 

The route up to Mosquito Lake is a bit different. Totally empty, more narrow and brushy in lots of places and steep. I made it about halfway to Mosquito, hitting my turn around time while losing my GPS at around 4000ft. That's ok, reaching it or Lost Lake (or both) will make for an excellent day outing from my future Packwood camp site. 

If coming from Tacoma or Seattle, give yourself a little extra time driving the Skate Creek Road. They've made a lot of improvements but potholes and culvert dips come up often in some stretches. Also, this appears to be a great area for a dispersed car camp if that's your thing. 

RT 11.23/2172ft 

I’ve only been to Packwood Lake once before and have always been curious about using it as a starting point for getting up into the Goat Rocks Wilderness.  I arrived at the Packwood Lake TH about 9am and there were about a dozen cars already there.  As I hiked in towards the lake, all those hikers turned out to be backpackers on their way out.  Once having passed them all, I pretty much had the place to myself.  I did a little bit of scouting out camping spots for possibly brining an 11 year old here in June, and then started up the trail towards Mosquito Lake.  It’s a good climb and it was apparent that it had received trail maintenance lately as I saw drainage ditches and freshly sawn downed trees. A few remained down but were easily stepped over.

I knew I would hit snow at some point and that it could possibly be deep enough to turn me around.  I’m not fond of hiking in spring snow that is melting out to reveal big holes, etc.  But I made it up to about 300’ in elevation feet shy of my destination so I plunged ahead.  The snow was intermittent but did require careful stepping not to plunge in deep. I did not see any other hikers on this trail.  I did see lots of bear scat though so I kept my eyes peeled and made noise with my poles regularly.  Last thing I want to see was a momma and a new baby headed my way!

I love this hike. It's a perfect shoulder season trail for close enough to call it 73 yo me. Stretching it out lengthwise, but virtually no elevation change. It's been a while since I did it, and I don't know how long there have been new "flushing" toilets at the lake, but awesome! The trail is in perfect condition. I hiked on a Friday, and saw only a few people. Total miles to end of the lake and back on the Pipeline Trail: 9.7 miles

I'm not sure where WTA gets 4.6 miles to the old ranger station; I clocked it at 3.5; 5 miles to (almost) the end of the lake, which is well worth it. Many calypso orchids (gorgeous), especially beyond the lake; also trillium and yellow violets. A little up and down from the head of the lake to the end, but easy.

A word about the ATV trail (Pipeline), which I took on the return after reading a previous trip report, because shorter. 1. It's less than a mile shorter. 2. A short bit of it is not the service road, and it is beautiful. As was the service road, for a while. 3. The service road is rocky. It was very hard on my feet, which translated to hard on my knees and back. 4. There are views of Rainier, mostly screened by trees, but a few clear ones. 5. While an alternate experience was welcome, I won't do it next time,see #3. In spite of a little shorter, it did not feel shorter!

This hike was great. Just like the description says 4.5miles to the lake. We did this today with my husband and 23yo daughter and our Goldendoodle Hoka the trail was clear of any snow(tiny bit on the side around mile 3ish). The lake was quiet and very beautiful! All around pretty easy. EASY to get to and EASY to find the trailhead. A little incline but nothing we couldn’t handle.

Did a quick loop up the Packwood Lake trail and looped back on the Pipeline road. A little snow but that will probable gone in a week or so. A good early season hike to get some miles in. I clocked a little over 8 miles for the loop.