It was a lovely weekend to escape the Boy Scouts at Trout Lake by heading up to Malachite. The trail to Trout was in good shape. After Trout, where the trail is less used, there were a few logs on the trail--but passable, even with a pack. There was one old spruce that blew-down over the trail (or should I say blew-up') that was a little difficult. There was also mud and water on the trail. I would say the theme to this part of the hike is roots and rocks. I was surprised to see some day-hikers in tennis shoes... Malachite was open with some patches of snow around, but we were able to find a lovely campsite. There were not a lot of people--but I heard that a group of Boy Scouts did head to Copper Lake. We bushwacked over the ridge to get a view of Copper--and it looked snow-free. To top it all off--we caught a few 'keeper' size cutthroat trout. Overall, it was a great weekend!

Am late in submitting this (June 22) but since I don't see another recent post for this trail, here I go. The trail is in good shape except that the very first section is kind of bouldery (I know, I'm whining). Trout Lake is open and beautiful. From there, the trail switchbacks up to Copper-Malachite junction. I met a friendly ranger guy working on the trail. Shortly before the trail reaches the Copper Lake basin, a large tree has fallen across it on a rocky ground and got pulverized. On the way up, I had to make a little detour downslope; on the way out, the tree was partially cleared and detour was unnecessary. I hope this is my trail dollars at work! Copper Lake basin is about 50% snow and the lake itself is still covered but is starting to melt around the edge. I did not go further.

We got what we expected on this trip. Crowds at Trout Lake and then snow before Lake Malachite. The bugs seemed to be scared away by all the people even at snow-free Trout Lake. After the first lake the trail is steep and wet. The only problem are rocks on the trail but that can never be avoided. From where a trail splits off to Malachite the snow level begins. We bushwacked in the snow for a 1/2 mile or so and found the lake (Malachite) to be covered. There was one or two spots free of snow for a tent. We made a snowman in the middle of the lake and walked inside of the shore instead of walking around the lake like we had planned. Gliscading practice was enjoyable especially if we got a long run that ended up on the lake. One small casualty but Doug now has some scars to impress the ladies.

eek crew and its gang of newly-certified cross-cutters cleared the rest of the blowdown off the trail as it approaches Trout Lake. There's still blowdown blocking the new by-pass trail built around the lake last year. Much of the older portion of trail by the lake is still under-water. The lake's water level has been increased by blow-down blocking the outlet, but it's level is dropping rapidly.

We arrived at the trailhead and started hiking at 10:00am. The day was crisp and cool and the sky was a beautifull blue. The trail to Trout Lake was in good shape and the lake was glassy smooth and beautifull although with all the leaves off the trees, there wasn't much color in the reflection. From Trout Lake we continued UP to Copper lake. Near the top of the falls, the trail had a little ice on it so it would have been a cold night for anyone camping near Copper lake. While eating lunch at Copper lake the sun was warm, but the strong breeze off the lake made it a cool stop. Good thing we had our warm fuzzy jackets in the packs. After lunch we headed back down and returned to the cars. All around it was a great day of late season hiking. No bugs, cool clear weather, and gorgeous scenery.

8/27/97 Trout lateral #1064 Drive east on Hwy. #2 to the Skykomish Ranger Station. Stop and get your trail park permit and continue east 1/4 mile to Foss River road #68 on the right and continue 4 miles to trailhead and trail #1064. We hiked 1.5 miles and 500 feet difference in elevation to Trout Lake and ate our lunch and did some fishing. The log bridges across the Foss River are in good shape. Wally caught a small one and released him to grow bigger. There are 5 campsites at the lake. They are on west side of the trail and begin at the sight at the beginning of the lake. They are marked with small campsite signs. The lake is pretty but the better lakes are at Malachite, Copper, Delta, Big Heart, Angeline, Otter, Chetwood, you could spend a week just roaming around Form Lake to lake. There is a ranger station at the trailhead but no ranger. Just a few hikers this day. Dick,Dan,Waly