Trail #133 from the west was lovely. I did come across a bear and her cub the day before, about 1/2 mile into the trail, so I came back the following day and continued. The lake was cool and refreshing.

Hiked in from west (shorter) side. Snow in areas open to sky. Slushy and slippery at beginning of trail, then snow free until bowl of lake, where there is a lot of snow on south side of bowl. 

The strenuous hike into the Soda Peaks Lake is rewarded with a beautiful, mountain cirque lake and a number of lakeside campsites.  

History:  The Trapper Creek Wilderness area at 5963 acres is one of the smaller wilderness areas.  In 1984,it became part of the protected Wilderness system and is managed by the Gifford Pinchot NF.  There are large areas of old-growth forest adjacent to the Trapper Creek and Trail #192.  In the north, Observation Peak is a popular day hike with its expansive views of the Cascade stratovolcanoes.

The history of Government Mineral Springs is fascinating: from an early 1910-1930's hotel and resort to a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) camp in the 1930-1940's, today camping, horseback riding, and hiking in nearby Trapper Creek Wilderness area are the popular attractions.

Directions: From Carson, Washington go north on Wind River Highway/Forest Road 30 for about 15 miles to the intersection with Forest Road 3065 just past the Fish Hatchery.  Turn left on Road 3065 and continue for about one quarter mile.  Turn right/north on FS5401 to the trailhead parking area. There is an pit vault restroom that was open.  Don't forget your NW Forest Service pass.

From the TH parking area, hike west on Trail #192.  At about 1.75 mi cross a small stream (rock hop), then turn left/south at the Soda Peak sign.  Cross over on the Trapper Creek bridge and begin the "strenuous" climb on the #133 trail.  Over the next 2.7 miles you will gain 2615 ft of elevation, about 975 ft per mile (see the trail profile). This is a south facing slope so bring plenty of extra water.  There is no water until you get to Soda Peaks Lake.

There are a number of logs across the trail and most can be stepped or crawled over.  Also, the trail in 4 or 5 areas has sloughed downhill and can have some tricky footing.  Go slow!  At about 3000 ft. I encountered really hungry MOSQUITOES so bring some bug stuff. 

There is some large old-growth Douglas fir at about 3400 ft.  But there is also at least 5 large (30"-40") fallen logs across the trail which makes it quite challenging to crawl through.  A scouting assessment has been sent to WTA for remediation.  See my Google Photos album link for more pictures.

Soda Peaks Lake is a beautiful destination with a half-dozen lakeside campsites.  The lake is also popular with trout fisherman.

A friend and I hiked up to Soda Peaks Lake and Soda Peak on Friday. The trail is in great shape, just a couple of deadfalls. You'll see some huge old-growth trees along the trail, especially just after crossing Trapper Creek. You'll be walking through the forest and suddenly you notice all these huge trees around you. These aren't the biggest cedars and Douglas firs I've seen but they are uncommonly large. You will be impressed and maybe amazed at the size of some of these trees.

Soda Peaks Lake is freezing over with about a 30 foot ring of open water around the edge of the lake. There are really no unobstructed views of the cascade peaks until you reach a ridge high above the lake.

To continue to the ridge and Soda Peak, cross the outlet stream and climb up through the forest through a few switchbacks to a fairly open ridge with views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and peeks of Soda Peaks Lake. To get to the peak bushwhack off trail a few hundred feet, following the ridgeline. The peak is treed over but you traverse a lovely meadow just a couple hundred feet from the peak with great views of Mt. Adams. No snow anywhere on the trail. The trip was about 12 miles and 4,100 feet of elevation gain. You can get more information, see more pictures, get a map, and the GPS route at the link to Eyehike listed below.

Hiked Soda Peaks Lake trail via Trapper Creek Trail. 10/7/19. 1 other vehicle at Trapper Creek Trailhead when I started at 5:45am. 9.81 miles with 2723ft elevation gain.

Bathroom at this TH. Big spacious parking lot. Road getting in has a few potholes, but is short. Has trash can. You must fill out a self issue permit for this wilderness. You need to have an America the Beautiful pass, or a Northwest Forrest pass, or pay a day use fee.

Would not recommend this hike for young children and this trail is not handicap accessible.

Trapper Creek is moderate hiking, when you get to the log at Soda Peaks trail it starts to climb (moderate to difficult hike). There are only a few spots where the trail flattens out a bit, trail does not stop climbing till a little before the lake.

I just hiked to the first two camp spots at the lake as there was rain in the forecast the day I went and I did not want to descend in the rain.

There are fallen trees on trail. Also Creek crossings that you can rock hop across this time of year.

Saw no one on the trails, but when I got back to my car there were two new cars in the lot.