Trout Lake: Alpine Lakes Wilderness

FOSS CREEK

Another day, another lake, and another gorgeous hike. Trout lake sits at low elevation in the North central part of the expansion Alpine Lakes Wilderness. 
Being a short 3.2 mile round trip hike its perfect for a quick half day trip or an all day summer lounge on the lake hike. 
With fishing pole in hand we took to the trail. The trail starts of rather easy following the west fork of the Foss River. The river is close by almost the whole time. A bridge crosses over the river where below the bridge the river was flowing downstream but above the bridge there was no flow. Further up the trail the river is heard roaring again. It reminded me of how much more H20 there is to a mountain river that we don't usually see, via the underground path. 
Next a GIGANTIC Fir stands alongside the trail about half way up. Its been awhile since I've seen anything larger. 
Snow covered the last half mile of trail which is where most of the elevation in gained.
The lake was mostly frozen over but I threw my line into the outlet of the lake which was shallow, too shallow. I wanted to keep the few lures i had.Therefore we strategically decided on plan #2, ice fishing! 
After cutting through the ice we realized it was thick enough to support us. I dropped my line in about 20 feet away from shore and fished from the 1 1/2 ft diameter hole i was able to chisel out. NO luck!! No worries because the scenery was beautiful with a fresh covering of snow the forest glisten above us. The clouds broke and the sun popped its head out a couple of times to show off the snow capped mountains to the south of us.
All in all another great hike, another great lake and an amazing friend to share it with!!

ICE FISHING AT TROUT LAKE

LANDSLIDE SHOWY THE CRAGGY MOUNTAINS ABOVE

PANORAMIC VIEW OF LAKE

                                                              TRAIL INFO:
  
Trail: #1064

Miles hiked: 1.6 to the lake/ 3.2 miles round trip

Elevation gained: trailhead 1600 ft/ lake 2100           ft/ total of 5 feet gained

Forest: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National                   forest/ Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Permit Required: NW forest pass

Trailhead Amenities: Parking lot, bathrooms,               picnic table

Map: Green Trails Maps 175

Wildlife seen: None

Fishing: None caught, supposedly has trout

Camping: numerous sites 

Trails close by: the same trail hikes another 5.7                  miles pass Lake Malachite, Copper                lake, Little Heart lake, and Big Heart lake

Trail condition: Great! Snow is trail, 3 downed              trees

Rules and Regs: No fires at Trout lake

Directions: Take Hwy 2. From hwy 2 take Foss            River rd (FR 6800) just east of the town of          Skykomish. After 3.5 miles take a slight              right and stay on 6800. After another .6              miles keep going past trailhead 1062. Then          after 1.3 miles take a left on FR 6835 and            the trailhead will be 1.9 miles ahead.