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August
1, 2000
The
trail starts at the gates and follows the road for about 0.4 mile
to the registration box. From here it enters the woods and with
little elevation gain continues for about 0.4 mile to the open slope,
where a first good view opens up. The trail enters the woods again
and in 0.5 mile reaches Gold Creek. An open rocky shore here looks
like a nice picnic spot. For another 1.5 mile the trail continues
through the woods at times coming closer to the creek leading to
the flood plain, that is now grown with bushes. To the right of
the trail there is a steep Rampart Ridge slope with waterfall streaming
down it. Straight ahead and a little to the left Kendall Peak can
be seen.
In
another 0.2 mile the trail enters the woods, steeply climbing up
the slope and in 0.3 mile reaches a creek crossing. Pay attention
here, for an old trail route continues straight. Look for a log
to cross the creek. After the creek crossing the trail follows the
creek for about 0.1 mile, then turns left into the woods and in
about 0.3 mile crosses Silver Creek. The trail continues for another
0.7 mile to a small campsite near the creek coming down from the
Alaska Lake. In about 0.2 mile after creek crossing the trail reaches
a junction, where Alaska Lake
Trail #1314.1 goes to the left, and a main trail continues straight.
There is a sign there "Trail is not maintained beyond this point".
From
the junction the trail is brushy with fallen trees. To follow the
trail look for red tape on the trees.
There
is avalanche area in about 0.3 mile up the trail. There is still
alot of snow there. For another 0.7 mile the trail gradually climbs
following open slopes and at times entering the woods Then it gets
steeper and reaches the place where a creek that runs from Joe Lake
meets with Gold Creek. The trail makes a left turn and continues
up Joe Creek (?) for about 0.1 mile before crossing it. Pass the
creek crossing the trail climbs vertically up along the creek to
Joe Lake. In about 0.5 mile the trail evens up and passes a beautiful
waterfall  .
With gradual climb the trail continues for about 0.2 mile to a small
lake, and in about 0.1 mile through the meadows leads to Joe Lake.
There are several campsites there. On the west of the lake Mt. Thompson
summit can be seen ,
and beautiful meadows of the Huckleberry Mountain open on the north
.
You can see Pacific Crest Trail on the slope of the Huckleberry
Mountain. Good loop can be made if ascend to PCT and follow it to
Snoqualmie Pass. A second car will be needed to do such a loop.
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