Getting There
Leave Interstate 5 north of Vancouver, Washington, at Exit 68 and travel 85 miles east on U.S. Highway 12 to White Pass. Continue east another 2.1 miles, then turn left into the signed DOG LAKE CAMPGROUND. The unpaved campground loop road passes the signed trailhead on the right after just 0.1 mile.
Hiking It
The trail starts in a relatively open mid-elevation forest of mixed conifers with plenty of huckleberries, fireweed, grouse whortleberries, and numerous other low-growing flowers and shrubs scattered about on the forest floor. After just 0.1 mile of uphill, the trail forks at the start of the loop.
Bear right onto the Cramer Lake Trail and follow this wide, horse-pounded path as it traces a very gentle course for 1.2 miles to a camp immediately before a bridgeless crossing of North Fork Clear Creek. There is usually a log you can scoot across here, but if that is missing, the creek crossing is an easy calf-deep ford.
After crossing the creek, the trail makes a gradual uphill traverse of a mostly forested hillside, and then turns north and wanders gently uphill to Cramer Lake at 3.2 miles. The trail stays in the forest, so far back from this good-sized and attractive lake that it is easy to walk right past it without noticing. The lake is worth a visit, however, so watch carefully and follow any of several sketchy trails that branch to the right and lead to this forest-rimmed gem. The lake has a fine campsite at its northwest end.
Just beyond Cramer Lake is a junction at the southeast corner of a lush grassy meadow. Watch for deer and elk here, especially early in the morning. This meadow is only the first of several forest-rimmed meadows you will visit over the next few miles. All of these meadows feature plenty of wildflowers in mid- to late July and bright red and orange huckleberry bushes in early October. Keep straight at the junction and walk around the southwest side of the small meadow, coming to a second junction immediately after you cross a tiny creek. Turn left and climb a little more before catching a glimpse of large Dumbbell Lake. Unfortunately, this glimpse is all you will see of this scenic lake for some time as the trail stays in forest well back from the lake, instead passing several small but attractive ponds. After 0.4 mile you pass two unsigned but obvious use paths going to the left. These lead to campsites near the northwest end of Dumbbell Lake. Although well located, the camps are rather unattractive, since a recent fire killed many of the surrounding trees.
The main trail finally approaches Dumbbell Lake at its northwest tip, where there is a signed junction with a very faint sign for Long John Trail. Go straight and follow a gentle path past more ponds and meadows for 0.3 mile to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Turn left (southbound) on this wide and well-graded trail and walk 0.3 mile to beautiful, meadow-lined Buesch Lake. The trail skirts the north and west sides of the lake, passing a short side trail that leads to an exceptionally nice campsite above the west shore.
Buesch Lake, William O. Douglas Wilderness
The PCT now climbs away from Buesch Lake, gradually ascending for 0.8 mile to a broad pass with two shallow ponds before coming to a signed junction with the faint Cortright Creek Trail. Keep straight on the PCT and go gradually up and down for 1.6 miles past tiny ponds and small meadows to a fine camp at a large and scenic pond just to the right (west) of the trail. From here you go downhill to a junction beside Sand Lake. The water in this lake recedes dramatically by late summer, reducing its attractiveness.
Keep left at the junction, still on the PCT, and after 0.6 mile come to a wide and heavily used side trail that goes to the right 80 yards to Deer Lake. There is a very large and comfortable camping area above this nearly circular lake’s northeast shore.
The PCT continues east from Deer Lake, gradually losing elevation as it follows the hillside above the tiny outlet creek of Deer Lake. About 1.1 miles from the lake, you come to a junction where you turn sharply left on Dark Meadow Trail. After 0.1 mile this path crosses a tiny creek in a meadow, and then turns east and goes up and down for 0.5 mile before descending to the junction just above Dog Lake Campground and the close of the loop. Turn right to return to the trailhead.
8 Cispus Point
| RATINGS | Scenery 7 Difficulty 3 Solitude 9 | |
| ROUND-TRIP DISTANCE | 5.6 miles (with side trip) | |
| ELEVATION GAIN | 1400 feet | |
| OPTIONAL MAP | Green Trails: Blue Lake | |
| USUALLY OPEN | July to October | |
| BEST TIMES | July | |
| AGENCY | Cowlitz Valley Ranger District (Gifford Pinchot National Forest) | |
| PERMIT | None |
Highlights
This short but exciting hike takes you into a small but very attractive parcel of roadless terrain not far from Packwood, Washington. Since most hikers prefer the more famous trails around the scenic wonders of nearby Mt. Rainier and the Goat Rocks, it’s not surprising that few people visit Cispus Point. Those who do are rewarded not only with solitude but with exceptional scenery, including plenty of views of those much more crowded attractions.
Getting There
Leave Interstate 5 north of Vancouver, Washington, at Exit 68 and travel 61 miles east on U.S. Highway 12 to an unsigned junction with Forest Road 20 near Milepost 127.6. Turn right (south) on this narrow and sometimes rough gravel road, staying on the main route at several minor intersections for 9.2 miles. Park at a pullout on the left about 0.2 mile past the signed trailhead for Jackpot Lake and just before the road leaves an old clear-cut.
Hiking It
The unsigned but obvious trail goes southwest along the edge of the clear-cut for 0.2 mile to a junction with the Klickitat Trail. Turn right and wander through a forest of mountain hemlocks and Alaska yellow cedars, which provide lots of welcome shade, but block most of the views. In July, wildflowers such as valerian, avalanche lily, columbine, wallflower, pink heather, bluebell, and lupine provide plenty of color, especially in places that get a bit more sun. Those breaks in the forest cover also provide views of bulky, snow-covered Mt. Adams to the south.
At 0.4 mile you begin an uphill traverse of an open rocky slope directly beneath the imposing cliffs on the east face of Cispus Point. The ascent ends at a junction in a small meadow with a shallow seasonal pond. Look for marsh marigolds and western anemones growing in the wet soils here.
The trail that goes left at this junction is the route to Cispus Point. Since this is such an easy hike, however, it is worth spending a little extra time and energy on a short side trip. So drop your pack and take the trail to the right, hiking mostly on the level through an open forest of subalpine firs and mountain hemlocks around the southwest side of massive Castle Butte. After 0.8 mile you come to a signed fork. The main Klickitat Trail goes left, but veer right, climb briefly to a saddle with a terrific view of Mt. Rainier, and then descend a little before turning north for a fun and scenic walk beneath the towering cliffs of Twin Sisters. This is the logical turnaround point for the side trip.