Hiking the Lakes trail

Lakes Trail #211and Elk Bench Trail #211D

Length:5.25 One Way

Season of Use:April - ­November

Elevation:2500 to 3120 feet above sea level

Visitor Use:High

Location:begins, Coldwater Lake Boat Launch or Elk Bench Trail- head at Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center; ends, junction with Coldwater Trail #230

Trail Talk:

Enjoy sparkling view of Coldwater Lake, Minnie Peak and Mount St. Helens. Discover the lake formed by the volcanic dam of the debris avalanche. Be amazed by the amount of returning plant life ­cottonwood beaches, birds, deer, and elk can all be viewed along this trail. Watch for the phosphorescent rainbow trout coming to the surface to eat. A brand new shoreline is being formed as wind, rain and ice break down the sides of the lake and deposit the new material creating a shallow shelf and new shoreline.

Trail Facts:From Elk Bench Trailhead, Elk Bench Trail #210 descends to junction with Lakes Trail #211. The Lakes Trail skirts the edge of Coldwater Lake from the boat launch to Coldwater Creek at the NE end of the lake. Along the way the trail crosses wet marsh areas and follows Coldwater Creek to the junction with Coldwater Trail #230.Trail Length: 5.25 miles (one way); Elk Bench Trail 0.5 mile (one way)

Considerations:Treat water before drinking.

Connections:

Lakes Trail #211 connects with Coldwater Trail #230 which connects to Boundary Trail #1. This offers a cross-monument hiking experience.

Map:Elk Rock and Spirit Lake West quadrangles.

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