Lost Lake Lookout - Bluff Lake Trail

Coal Creek Mountain is a long ridgeline with several highpoints just inside of the Goat Rocks Wilderness in the Washington Cascades. Although a nice trail takes you all the way to the summit, you won't see many trip reports up Coal Creek Mountain. It's used more by locals, horseman and fisherman. The Bluff Lake Trail was used by Native American goat hunters to access a ridge systems high in the Goat Rocks. Topo maps show the highest point as Lost Lake Benchmark. The highpoint was once the site of Lost Lake Lookout. Views are magnificent of the Goat Rocks Peaks as well as Mt. Rainier.

For the Bluff Lake Trail, drive US 12 from Packwood east toward Yakama for 2 to 3 miles. Look for a right hand turn onto FR 4612 and follow it to the trailhead. Look for the trailhead marker as the road takes a hairpin turn to the left at 3,000 feet, possible to miss.

For Packwood Lake trailhead follow U.S. Highway 12 to the east end of town and turn south-east onto Forest Road 1262. Continue southeast on FR 1262 for 6 miles to the trailhead parking lot.

Lost Lake Lookout

The Coal Creek Trail starts out at the Goat Rocks Wilderness boundary and is the fastest route up although still 6.5 miles one way. The hike is an excellent forested uphill hike to Bluff Lake where several nice camping spots exist. Continuing on, the trail climbs hard but soon starts to open in places as it skirts along the ridge climbing higher and higher. The peak comes into view at several meadows. Follow the trail to near the top where you'll hit the trail split that takes you to either Lost Lake or Lost Hat Lake, official names are the Clear Lost Trail #76 and Packwood Lake Trail #78 Go left on #76 toward Lost Hat and you'll quickly be on the summit.

This route makes for an excellent weekend trip. Spend the first day getting to Packwood Lake (5 easy miles, 600 gain) or the more challenging Lost Lake (5 more miles) and enjoying a nice relaxing campsite on the shores of the lakes. The next morning, hike to the summit of Coal Creek Mountain.

Forest Service description getting to Lost Lake
"Most of this trail is in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. The trail starts at the end of Road 1260 and climbs gently through old growth. Two small harvest areas are passed within the first 3/4 mile, offering views of Rainier. The trail then enters the wilderness and continues toward Packwood Lake. Within a short distance of the lake, the trail leaves the wilderness and descends to the lake. The trail climbs, enters the wilderness and proceeds to Mosquito Lake and the junction with Trail #69. The trail continues to climb, passing a junction with Trail #79 before reaching Lost Lake. The trail continues north on an open ridgeline to the junction with Trail #65 and Trail #76." From here its a short distance to the summit.

This area lies within the Goat Rocks Wilderness. There are no restrictions beyond the use of self-service permits and a possible NW Trailhead Pass.
Packwood Ranger District P.O. Box 559 Packwood, WA 98361
(360) 494-0600