Dorothy Lake Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming

Drive Hwy 2 some 45 miles east of Everett. Between mileposts 45 and 46, turn south on the Old Cascade Highway toward Money Creek Campground. You'll be confronted immediately by a sign proclaiming "Road Closed in 1.1 Miles." No problem, drive the 1.1 miles and just before the final Road Closed sign, turn right onto the Miller River Road. This is initially marked as Forest Road 6410, then becomes 6412. It's about nine miles to the trailhead. The road is unpaved, and the first part may be reasonably smooth. In the final few miles, be alert for possible potholes. There is room for perhaps 20 cars at the trailhead. There is a toilet, and no immediate source of water. A Northwest Forest Pass is required.

It's about 1.9 miles to the lake, with an 800 foot elevation gain. After the first mile, come to a crossing of Camp Robber Creek. Pause there on the sturdy bridge to appreciate the whitewater rapids, and to enjoy the welcome (in summer) breeze that often blows down the canyon.

Then continue on up the trail, encountering additional log cribs. When you reach the outlet of Lake Dorothy, a sign offers the choices of "Outlet Spur" straight ahead, or "Inlet" and "Bear Lake" to the left.

Whatever your plans are for the day, begin with the Outlet Spur. In about 100 yards it passes a log jam at the outlet of the lake. Here you can, with caution, venture out on a raft of large logs for an even better panorama. Then check the creek downstream of the log jam. The outflow is initially very tranquil, and sometimes a dipper bird may be seen foraging in the shallow water.

If you plan to go on to Bear Lake, or are seeking a campsite, or are just exploring farther along Lake Dorothy, return to the trail junction. In summer, there is often a posting showing the locations of many camp sites (and a few backcountry toilets) along the eastern and southern shores of the lake.

Take the trail toward the Inlet and Bear Lake, but don't expect it to be a lakeshore stroll, for much of the way the route is well above lake level. Occasional paths descend to reach campsites on benches above the lake or sites down at the lakeshore. The route alternates between forested and rocky stretches, and there is some up and down.

If you are hiking in August, be alert as you pass bushes along the trail. You are likely to find ripe blueberries edging the trail.

After hiking 1.8 miles from the outlet, come to Lake Dorothy's inlet stream. There is no bridge, but in summer the stream can generally be crossed on boulders, though trekking poles may be helpful for balance.

Near the southern end of Lake Dorothy, an occasional tall, dead tree offers a perch for ospreys that forage there for fish. Eagles may be seen too.

If your plans are for Bear Lake, get ready for some uphill. You'll gain 700 feet in 1.6 miles, on someti