We parked at Corral Pass campground early Wednesday afternoon and hiked to Echo Lake in about 4-5 hours. We are not fast hikers. The trail was in excellent condition, all down hill. It was a very nice hike. There are 3, maybe 4 campsites at the lake that we saw. The brige across Greenwater River at the head of the lake is out, but it's still easy enough to cross, either by balancing on logs or taking a couple of steps in the river from one side of the broken bridge to the other, you'll go in about thigh deep, if you're short like me. There is at least one very nice site on the other side of these bridge, trail #1187. The next day we hiked from Echo Lake to just up-river from the Greenwater Lakes. This was also down hill all the way, with the exception of climbing out from Echo Lake. We camped at an absolutely gorgeous site on the river, with old growth cedar and doug fir, a rocky beach to sun on, a nice fire pit,and plenty of room for tents.The next day we hiked around the Lakes, which are just lovely, and there are at least four camp sites in the area, some of them quite large. We spent another night in the same site, then headed up the hill on trail #1185. See that report for more fasinating reading.

Had to work until noon on this sunny, warm Saturday but headed for Greenwater and Echo Lake trailhead ASAP when I got off. Arrived at about 1:30. The road has a washout about two miles before the trailhead but Plum Creek, anxious to get to the forest too, cut a road around the washout which the public can use if the gate is unlocked. Be aware of logging trucks during the week. The road, #72['] is suppose to repaired sometime this summer. The day was almost too warm as I loaded the pack on my back and headed out to meet Bev, Eli, and Don at Echo Lake. There were a couple of very large mud holes about 3miles or so up the trail. The log over the ragging river just past the Greenwater Lakes gave me quite a trial. Others didn't seem to mind it so much, except Bev. Maybe that is why we are friends. It would have not been anything if the water had not been so forceful and loud. Okay, I am a whimp. There are a couple of places on the trail where the required step ups are way out of a comfortable range. One is above knee high. There needs to be rerouting or steps built in these two places. When I arrived at Echo Lake Bev had put a piece of wood through her leg while pretenting she was a young gazelle. No stitches were required, but close. It is a good thing because Eli, her 11 yr old grandson who just got his first aid card, told me it was all he could do not to throw up while his uncle Don stopped the bleeding. In spite of her injury that morning, the three of them had spent the day climbng up to the Pacific Crest Trail and sunning on a huge rock. We enjoyed a nice dinner which Don prepared for us and watched the sunset shine on Mutton Mt. Morning arrived sunny and warm, [how lucky can we get']so we headed up to Hidden Lakes before lunch. The lake is down quite a bit, according to Bev and Don. Lots of ""stuff"" floating around on top of it. The trail was fairly level and in good shape. Only two little trees accross the trail that could have been cut with a handsaw easy. We went back to Echo Lake for lunch and once again past the huge beaver dams and den. Didn't see they little guys this time. One campsite was littered very heavy with toilet paper, etc. What can we do to educate these animals' Two legged ones. After lunch we broke camp and headed out about 1:30. Eli put a curse on us when he said, "" We sure can't complain about the weather this weekend."" The thunder starded shortly afterward, then the lightening and rain. It rained pretty heavy the last two hours out. One couple had a dog at Greenwater Lakes that was trying to get away from them and lunch on us. He was mean and very scary. Good thing he was on a leash. We caught up to them a couple of times and he became vicious. In spite of the rain, a very fun weekend. The last mile into Echo Lake seems like 4. For the most part an easy trail. Beautiful lake with Mutton Mt. and Castle Mt shining into the water. Please go chek it out, but remember to dig a hole six inches deep for toilet paper, etc. Oh yes, and tell your dog we're friendly.

Greenwater river trail to Echo Lake - 14 mi. 1600 ft. vert. rise in, 400 vert. rise out. Trail in very good condition, a little mud, no washouts, all bridges operational. This is a beautiful tree walk, in fine old growth the entire way with the raging greenwater river loud and visible beside the trail. The river goes in and out of 3 small lakes on it's lower section. There were good campsites and a few fishermen. Starting at 2500 ft. only 700 ft is gained by the 5 mile mark, our lunch camp on the river bank by a major waterfall. After lunch our Tacoma Mountaineers group Went up the remaining 2 miles over the 4100 ft. [a few snow patches] high point and down to Echo Lake. Here we rested and had our only mountain views of the trip. Personal first: saw calypso lily. Other flowers of note: lots of fine trillium, canadian dogwood, vanilla leaf, small solomons seal, & hookers fairy bell. Bugs are not out yet. We were on the trail from 9:30 to 5:30.

Wow! We actually made it out two weeks in a row! Weather was much better this weekend. We did a starter hike for new Boy Scouts. Our destination was the Greenwater lakes along trail 1176. Saturday was overcast but no rain. Nice for the hike up to the lakes. I had not been up since the floods a few years back. We took a few wrong turns on road to the trail head, but determined, we made it. Trail was very wet and sloshy along much of the way. The trail is also well traveled and just a pretty as I had remembered it. River seemed high no doubt due to the run off from the melting show above. The sun came out on Sunday and made it even better. Overall, this is a nice stroll to get the new campers into the backcountry! MD

Backpacking trip with 11 year old son and a friend. The trail and scenery in great shape, just a little snow left on trail at the top before decendeng the 220 feet to the lake. No snow at the camp site. Best part no flis or mosquetoes. However we were kept awake past midnight by a bunch of drunks. Please leave your dog and beer at home.