Poodle Dog Pass - Silver Lake - Twin Lakes Trail #708

Highlights: Mountain views, Wilderness, Lake

Distance: 4.4 miles miles one-way

Beginning Elevation : 2800 feet

Ending Elevation: 4800 feet

Difficulty level: Most Difficult

Map(s): Green Trails #111 Sloan Peak #143 Monte Cristo

Visitor Use: Medium

SUMMARY:

This steep, rugged trail enters the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness and leads to the divide between the South Fork Sauk and the Silver Creek drainages to Poodle Dog Pass. A short side trail on the right takes you to 36.9-acre Silver Lake. The lake is situated an alpine setting and has been reported as barren of fish.

Continuing on the main trail, the route traverses a long, open ridge with a panorama of Wilmans Peak, Columbia Peak, and the surrounding ridges. The route includes a rock scramble as it nears the Twin Lakes overlook.

At the overlook, 3.6 miles from Monte Cristo, the trail descends 600 feet to the right and reaches Upper Twin Lake at 4.4 miles. This scenic area offers fishing and exploring. Visitors are asked to restrict camping to the established sites. Campfires are prohibited in this area.

TRAILHEAD ACCESS:From the Verlot Public Service Center (11 miles east of Granite Falls), travel east on the Mountain Loop Highway 19.5 miles to Barlow Pass. Park here and proceed on foot past the gate on the Monte Cristo Road for 4.0 miles to the junction with the Monte Cristo campground road. At this junction go right (south) and continue across the bridge, past the cabins to the Silver Lake Trail at Sunday Creek.

Northwest Forest Pass required to park: Yes

TRAILGUIDE

Best Seasons: Summer/Fall

AREA

Verlot, Mountain Loop Highway

RANGER STATION (NEAREST)

1405 Emmens St. Darrington, WA 98241

Open Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm(360) 436-1155

Verlot PublicService Center

Open Thursday - Monday8 am - 4:30 pm (360) 691-7791

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Notice: Hiking in the backcountry can be dangerous. Information on this website comes from a variety of sources. You have to be responsible for using good common sense and researching trails carefully. Things change constantly in the outdoors.

Use caution while hiking so you can enjoy it safely. Don't get in over your head. A call to the ranger station and avalanche hotline(winter) are highly recommended. Bring the ten essentials and make sure someone knows where you are going and expect to be back.