Puck Lakes

As a way of introducing Monday AHG hikers to a new region to explore we set out on the Nannie Creek Trail to the Puck Lakes in the High Cascades. None of us had been on this hike but we had read Francie’s report from November 2018 and also three write ups in Boots on the Trail.

After a 90 minute drive up Highway 140 we reached the TH at 6,000′ in clear 70s weather.

The trail starts off in a dry creek bed then continues up into cool forests for a mile until it flattens out on top at 6,500′. It’s just 2.5 miles out to the first Puck Lake at that same elevation.

There were some patches of snow on the trail which should be gone by July 12 when we lead the group on this beautiful new hike.

The turnoff trail to the first lake is marked by three rock cairns and you can see the lake from the main trail.

These pristine mountain lakes feature clear water, jumping trout, flowers along the shoreline, big trees all around and a view of snow capped Devil’s Peak in the distance. We can add another mile to the hike with a circuit of Big Puck Lake. We can stop at the top of the circuit for lunch and a view of Little Puck Lake.

Heading back after lunch we would have completed 6+ miles and 500′ of gain in this first hike in the High Cascades.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Jerry, Linda