Poodle Dog Pass Trail is wretched. Fortunately, trail reconstruction has started, so contact the Verlot information center about restrictions. Once you get onto the Twin Lakes Trail above Poodle Dog Pass, trail conditions are gratefully better. There are some snow patches, some steep enough to suggest carrying an ice axe, but for the most part the trail is clear and easily followed. There appears to be a recent rockslide that has wiped out the trail. Beware that these rocks are very unstable. Twin Lakes are mostly deep blue and should be completely thawed shortly. (Silver Lake on the other hand is still frozen white.) If you are venturing to the summit of Columbia Peak, you will find the climber's path mostly dry with wildflowers in profusion. The climber's path on Columbia's west spur is glorious hiking.

Not sure of the trail # (not on my Green Trails) but I hiked the Twin Lakes trail that leaves from Napeequa Crossing CG off the White River, Wenatchee Lake Ranger District. Trail is about 3.5 miles to the first lake, another 0.7 to the second. This trail was more interesting and varied than I expected, a smooth tread in most places, beautiful forests, pretty creeks, and a few nice views. Trail is in great condition to the first lake. The trail around it to the second much larger lake desperately needs brushing - somebody could do wonders with just a small saw as a lot of the mess is young 1"" trees bent over the trail and in places you can almost lose the trail. Several logs as well. Trail ends at the 2nd lake near an old FS service cabin. Mosquitoes were out but reasonable (worst place was at the trailhead). No snow in sight as this is a relatively low elevation hike (2000-2800 ft). Only apparent campsite on the whole trail is at the FS cabin.

We hiked up the road from the old Galena townsite past the old Mineral City townsite and up more abandoned logging roads (somewhat overgrown, but a footpath remains) to the start of the Silver Creek trail to Poodledog Pass. Some of the roadway is pretty wet with running water, but not any problem. Interesting old massive bridges, one of which may not last too long. The trail is not too hard to follow in most areas. On the way up it is slightly more confusing than the descent. (This trail ought to be kept ""open"" so it doesn't get overgrown like the Marble Pass trail.) There are several mine adits en route to Poodledog Pass. After an attempt to climb Silvertip Peak, we went over to Coltus Lake for our camp. Nice location, I doubt many visit this lake. The next morning we found the O&B mines and some interesting mining artifacts laying about. Then we hiked to Twin Lakes. There was some snow on the trail in a few places, but it should melt this week. Not a problem, certainly. From Twin Lakes we started the Blanca Lake traverse but got off route and ran out of time. A long hike out from there, which took until 11pm! The abandoned trail down from Poodledog Pass wasn't hard to follow in the waning light. If only we'd made it to Blanca Lake... we could see it but couldn't get ""there"" from ""here"".

Awoke before the sun peaked over the mountains and even though there were a half dozen other campsites at Silver Lake everyone else was still asleep so I had the place to myself. Sunrise provided some great photo ops and provides its own explanation for the naming of Silvertip Peak. The shallowness of Silver Lake creates a perfect mirror in the morning stillness. Had breakfast, broke camp and headed for Twin Lakes. Just out of Silver Lake take a right at Poodle Dog Pass on trail 708A. I am seriously considering the purchase of some reading glasses. When I looked at my GT map it sure looked like this trail would be a lesser incline than that going to Silver Lake. Maybe I was just tired, the map only shows a 1000' gain over 3 miles, it seemed more like 1000' per mile. The book says 1500' up and down over 2.5 miles. You will have to take this (trail') and judge for yourself. It is definitely a good workout and thats part of what I'm here for. This is my last training hike before tackling Rainier next week. At 5400' you reach the overlook above the lakes - beautiful. Twin Lakes by contrast to Silver Lake are deep which gives them a deep blue-green color that is magnificently alluring. Even faced with the obviously steep descent of 700' to the lakeshore you are compelled to do just that. What' No I'm not stupid, I left my pack at the top and descended with my camera and a makeshift satchel for the barest of essentials. Other than a father and son I met on the trail I saw only 6 people camped at the lakes. I will find a time to return and camp here. Its a beautiful site and just hard enough to get to to keep it that way for some time to come, I hope. Couldn't stay as long as I would have liked as I knew I had a good 9 miles to hoof it back to Barlow Pass. All in all I got in a good 14 miles on Sunday and a total of 20+ for the weekend. Am I ready for Rainier' I'll let you know. Tune in next week- same time - same channel, when we'll hear Jim say - ""Ouch! Do all Ouch! rental boots Ouch! feel like this'

The trail is cear to the point of silver lake. after that there is 2 or 3 spots with 6 inches to 3 feet of snow on the trail. there are a lot of rocks so watch out.