vTrail Hester lake

Hester Lake 1005.1

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Ranger's Report

Weather

Road Condition

River Level

Distance:

2.5 miles one way (5.5 total)

Hiking Time:

1.5 hour

Trailhead Elevation:

2800 ft

Elevation Gain:

900 ft

Season:

June - October

Difficulty:

Moderate

Rating:

Best - Very Good - Good - Fair

Use:

Moderate

Users:

Hikers

Region:

Snoqualmie Ranger District

Maps:

USGS Snoqualmie Lake
Snoqualmie Ranger District Map

Permits:

Northwest Forest Pass is required
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations

Driving Directions:

From Seattle take I-90 East to Exit 34. Turn left at the Stop. In 0.6 mile turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road (#56). Continue for 12.2 miles (gravel road starts in 2.5 miles) to the junction after bridge crossing. Road #56 turns right, Taylor River Road goes straight. Continue on Road #56. The road is very rough, so high clearance car is recommended. Make sure you have spare tire. In 1.4 mile turn left at the junction, continue for 4.3 miles to the Dingford Creek trailhead on the left side. On the right side of the road there is a short 0.1 mile access trail that leads to Middle Fork Trail #1003. Follow Dingford Creek Trail #1005 for 3 miles to the junction, where Hester Lake Trail goes to the right.

Trailhead:

Campsites are in 0.3 mile up the trail, water is at the creek.

Trail:

July 20, 2000

The first 0.3 mile leads to Dingford Creek crossing. Look for a log a little way up the creek pass the campsites. After creek crossing the trail gradually climbs for about 1.5 miles. This part of the trail has several wash-outs and can be quite muddy. In order not to lose the trail look for paint marks on the trees. For the next 0.4 miles the trail goes in steep switchbacks to the junction with cross-country route to Mt. Price, that goes to the left. The trail continues for another 0.3 mile, crosses the creek and leads to several campsites near the lake. The lake is pretty big with steep, grown with woods, shores .

Cross country route leads to Little Hester Lake (1 mile / 500 feet). From the campsites ascend on the rocky slope and make your way towards the northern side of the lake. Continue along the northern side to the creek that floats from the Little Hester Lake into Hester Lake. Ascend along the creek drainage to Little Hester Lake. The lake is small and pretty. There is a campsite on the south side of the lake.