Bumping Lake — Thursday, Jul. 4, 2013

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Concerned about the proposed expanded dam on Bumping Lake, I wanted to hike the Bumping Lake trail to observe the shoreline forest. I also wanted to enjoy the same trail William O. Douglas did, one of many trails in the area he wrote about in his essays. I drove past the little marina and parked at the trailhead at road's end. There was small-scale construction of some sort going on, but there was room to park nearby. I got my wilderness permit, not sure how far we'd go up the trail. The trail is relatively easy with undulations and some ups and downs, either above or close to shore with views. This area in general has some pretty rugged talus slopes reaching to lower elevations, and this trail crosses a few of these early on. Wildflowers, especially in or near these talus slopes, included paintbrush and what I think was lava alumroot. Elsewhere I saw tiger lilies, coralroot, cow-parsnip, orange honeysuckle, and vanilla leaf. At about 1.5 miles in we crossed Boulder Creek, wide and low, an easy ford for beginners. There was also a small log crossing. There were some nice old trees in this part of the forest. There were also signs of flooding by the creek, but the trail here was easy to follow. This is also were we heard a pileated woodpecker. We reached the campsite on the lakeshore at about 2.5 miles, our turnaround. Later we car-camped in the area and though it was July 4th night, we heard not a peep of noise from the the nearby campground and marina. The only sound was the lovely call of an owl. In the morning I was delighted to find fresh brewed coffee at the immaculately clean and friendly marina store. I will definitely be returning for coffee on upcoming trips! This has become one of my favorite areas. Unfortunately, a previous trip report here, although understandably hopeful, is not accurate about possible loss of forest and trail due to the larger dam. The proposed increase in the size of the reservoir is from about 1300 acres to 2300 acres and the current lakeshore forest, including old growth, would be cleared. The trail would not survive the raised water level, nor would the marina and historic cabins. On an upcoming trip I plan to hike further to the head of the lake and check out the forest and river near the connection to the Bumping River trail. It's rare level/lower elevation old growth and is spotted owl habitat as well, adjacent to the wilderness. It would be really surprising to me if we choose to destroy this really unique old forest habitat in the middle of so much rich history. This doesn't have to happen.