Snow prevents access to the trailhead about a half mile before the parking area. Once on the trail in the woods, it's fairly clear for the first mile. After that, it's on snow then off snow for a few miles with the final mile being several feet deep still. At the lake we found the cabin open. This was good news as one of my scouts was suffering from some cold, wet feet. Saturday we awoke to some warm sunny weather. The lake level was down and was still frozen over. We took the ""road"" trail out since it had snowmobile tracks that were much easier to walk. The tracks ended up taking us down an even lower road (road 1262). Just past the gate marked on the green trails map, I dropped my pack and hiked up the dead-end spur road going in a SW direction. Near the end of this spur, I climbed up 600 feet through the woods and found myself at my parked car. Jumped in and drove down to pick everyone up.

Lena The Dog and I left Olympia at about 8:00 AM and arrived at the trailhead just outside of Packwood shortly after 10:00. Nice spot to park - great views of Rainier and the Goat Rocks, and a fancy-new potty to boot! Two trails will get you to the lake - we took the upper trail (#78) on the way in and took the lower one (#?) on the way out. Trail starts at about 2000', gets up to 3200' or so, before dropping to the lake at about 2900'. Tail is very smooth and gentle, well maintained, and offers a couple of mountain views. Only saw a few snow patches far off the trail. Lena enjoyed the 3-4 spots of running water across the path for easy drinks - it's easier than waiting for me to get her water bowl and bottle out anyway. The lake is very pretty with a big mountain (name?) out in all of it's glory beyond the south end of the lake. Took some pictures and just sat and watched the trees, water and mountain for a couple of hours. I can't think of many better ways to burn an afternoon. Took the lower trail back to the car. It offered many views of the valley and mountains to the north (including the Big One) - but these appear to have come as a result of development by the hydro power company (I assume so anyway). Nice trail. Saw a few groups of overnight campers heading to the south end of the lake. At the time we got back to the car (4:30 PM), the lot was packed. Lena seemed happy to get the trip in at a time of relative solitude. This trail must be a super-highway during the weekends.

The trip to Packwood Lake was a much better experience than the one on Good Friday. All the blowdowns have been cleared on the footpath as well as on the service road. Nevertheless, My trip to Packwood Saddle was cut short because of the numerous blowdowns there. After about 2 miles, my master turned us around. I didn't have any problems, because I could crawl under the blowdowns (they were high enough for my dog legs), but my master had a hard time scrambling around or over them. He finally gave up because we had to negotiate all of them on the way back. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant experience for te two of us.

Gorgeous day for a hike. Trail was fairly clear of snow. Lots of blowdowns on trail.Many were already cleared off. Had the trail to ourselves both in and out. We trekked a bit further to head up to Mosquito Lake but trail was pretty heavy with snow for quite a long distance. Although you could follow the trail thanks to good blaze marks and a set of boot prints that had been up there too. We gave up just short of the Mosquito Lake and called it a good day. Headed back to Packwood Lake for a munch break and then out to the trailhead we went. Lots of fish jumping in the lake and lots of beautiful ducks.

4 of us headed up to Packwood Lake on Friday afternoon. Got to the trailhead at 4:30 and reached out camping spot by 6:30, which was 1/4 mile from the outlet bridge. We counted 25 downed trees on the trail section, varied sizes. 2 had to be on hands and knees, 1 had to go up and around, the rest were step over. Snow started fairly soon from the trailhead but was scattered. The solid snow (at least 90% coverage) started about 1/4 mile from the wilderness boundary. Anywhere from nothing to 6 inches, depended on the openess of the tree cover. The snow ended just as you make the switchback that drops you down to the lake. The lake boundary was snowfree, some down by the damn. There are two blowdown just beyond the crossing of the outlet, both you had to go down and around. One is now fairly easily walked under since I took the trusty Sven saw to her this morning. We saw Cat tracks and Elk tracks in the snow. One lonely elk was bugling on all three nights. I didn't think they did that in the spring but man is sure did sound like it. Heard it again this morning before we came out (Sunday). Talked to two guys on Saturday who came in the road way and said they had to cross 50 or so downed trees. Mostly small but a few had to find other ways around. The trail around the lake heading to the inlet was in much better shape. Did a little trail clearing on the way back from the dayhike on Saturday. Two other gents were camped at the inlet camps. Snowed down to about 3000 feet Saturday night, a couple hundred feet above the lake. Saw and destroyed one humungus skeeter, you know, those lazy low flying ones you see in the spring. Weather was clouds, rain, sun, wind, 5/8 moon, it was a perfect spring hike in the great northwest. Thats all, thanks for listening.