This hike is more about going off trail than the trail itself. When the water is low in this section of Lake Cushman, massive old stumps are revealed, making the beautiful landscape especially dramatic. To be candid, the trail itself is a fine trail, but the real treasure is exploring the stumps. This moderately interesting area becomes absolutely spectacular when the water levels are low.
Check the WTA trip reports to see if anyone has posted about water levels. I’m not sure if there are any online water level reports, but it’s worth a look. If you time it right and the lake is super low, you could spend an hour or more exploring the exposed stumps. Be mindful of private property as you venture to the stumps. Also, be aware that the area around the stumps might be incredibly muddy.
We have hiked this trail multiple times, going at the same time every year. And each year the water levels are vastly different. During 2022, this end of the lake was the lowest we’d ever seen (shown directly above and below)! The following year was the highest, with the trail being so flooded it was impassable.
Though not nearly as dramatic as the stumps, the trail itself really is quite lovely. You begin in a wooded forest with moss-covered rocks and beautiful native plants, including sword ferns and cottonwood trees with heart-shaped leaves.
The initial section of trail is wide, flat and even
The trail becomes more narrow and rocky once you leave the flat area near the water and begin to climb
We’ve never done the entire trail; we just go as far as we want (and our dog can comfortably do) and then turn around. There are a handful of moderately steep or rocky sections that most people shouldn’t find challenging, but with a senior dog, we have to be careful. Shiloh got to the point where she couldn’t handle some of the trickier spots (like a section of rocky steps). Depending on the amount of recent rainfall, there might be a waterfall over the trail part-way. The trail is wide enough to pass, but if you have an anxious dog like Chops, you might have to carry them past the water. All in all, we go for the stumps but do enjoy a portion of the trail to round out our trip.
Chops finds this waterfall to be particularly scary, so she gets a ride through this section
You can learn more about the Dry Creek trail and hopefully get recent reports on lake levels on the WTA site. I’ve written three trip reports on this hike if you’d like to see more photos: 2020 and 2022 and 2023.
Northwest Forest Pass required.
Read about other hikes for senior dogs in Western Washington!
Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington
