vTrail Little Joe Lake

Little Joe Lake 1330.1

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Ranger's Report

Weather

Road Condition

Pass Cam

Distance:

1.8 mile one way

Hiking Time:

1 hour

Trailhead Elevation:

3600 ft

Elevation Gain:

900 ft

Season:

June - October

Difficulty:

Moderate

Rating:

Best - Very Good - Good - Fair

Use:

Moderate

Users:

Hikers, horsemen

Region:

Cle Elum Ranger District

Maps:

USGS Kachess Lake
Polallie Ridge
Cle Elum Ranger District Map

Permits:

Northwest Forest Pass is required

Driving Directions:

From Seattle take I-90 East to Exit 80. At the Stop turn left. Continue for about 2.8 miles to the next Stop and turn left onto Highway 903. Follow the highway for 13.4 miles and turn left onto Thorp Creek Road #4308 (gravel road). In 3.2 miles turn right onto Road #4312 and follow it for about 1.4 mile to the gates at spur 121.

Trailhead:

Small parking along the road, water is at the creek about 300 ft up the spur 121.

Trail:

September 25, 2000

The trail follows the spur 121, crosses Thorp Creek and in about 0.1 mile reaches a junction with spur 123. Turn right onto spur 123 and follow it for about 0.3 mile to a creek. About 200 feet pass the creek the trail turns left. Steeply climbing through clear-cut for about 0.1 mile the trail then divides - a shorter, but steeper way goes straight, a little longer, but less steep one goes to the right. The forks meet in about 0.2 mile. Continuing to climb the trail enters the woods, crosses onto the west side of the creek, evens up and in about 1.2 mile reaches Little Joe Lake. The trail crosses the creek again and following the east side of the lake in about 0.1 mile meets with the Red Mountain Trail #1330. The lake is shallow with marshy shores. There is a good campsite on the north shore .