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Author Topic: Can I get to Castle lake?  (Read 6179 times)

Offline sagerat

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Can I get to Castle lake?
« on: April 26, 2015, 01:51:26 PM »
How close can I drive? Is there a trail down to lake?

Offline sagerat

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2015, 06:39:56 PM »
Somebody must know something. I'm not really interested in the fishing, thinking about access to the pumice plain elk area...

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2015, 07:44:08 PM »
Can't help ya too much... But I buddy from back in school always talked about hiking into Castle Lake and fishing. So I know it can be done at least.

From: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110623&ttype=recarea&recid=47024&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=&cid=null&pname=West+Side+-+State+Highway+504+-+Castle+Lake+Trail%23221+and+Castle+Ridge+Trail%23216G

The Castle Ridge Trail #216G creates a connection between Loowit Trail #216 and Weyerhauser Road 3000. This ridge top hike offers views of the blast area, Mount St. Helens, the South Fork Toutle River, and Castle Lake.
A trip down the un-maintained Castle Lake Trail #221 brings you through the effects of the 1980 eruption to the shore of Castle Lake. The lake was created when the debris avalanche dammed South Fork Castle Creek. Passing through boggy areas and paralleling Castle Creek, the trail circles around the ridge separating Castle Creek and Castle Lake. Wildlife, including elk and waterfowl, can often be seen.

Offline sagerat

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2015, 08:30:51 PM »
Thanks for the reply. I wonder if there is ever issues with the 3000 mainline. Do you need a weyco permit?

Offline Clearcut

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2015, 08:33:44 PM »
Wolf dogs correct all though its more of a ridge top you walk down in.. An once you get pass the base of the ridge an the flat it's above what's considered mud flow an is actually the monument which you cant be off a trail in the monument legally. It's about 20 miles plus of gravel road to get to where you can see the lake an from there it's obvious which ridge you wanna take to get down to it

Offline Clearcut

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2015, 08:34:47 PM »
No Weyco permit needed... Alot of that's all state land on the way up so it's left open all year on that side

Offline sagerat

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2015, 08:49:12 PM »
Thanks, it looks like a decent place to access the elk area. I must be crazy, that's still a lot of meat packing... I better plan on bringing a fishing rod also to off set the misery.

Offline Clearcut

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2015, 08:52:09 PM »
Well you can drive in the 20 miles.. Depending on which ridge you take an how quickly you wanna drop in its only a couple miles into the lake

Offline splitshot

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2015, 09:02:14 PM »
I was thinking about the castle lake north of George.   no elk but some  fish.   mike w

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2015, 10:43:56 AM »
You can take a straight downhill approach off the 3000, quickest way down but it's a little harsh. There's an old road system that you could probably mountain bike down, it winds around and can be a little long. I think enough people hike it that they keep the brush somewhat cleared. PM me if you want any more info, I've done both routes before. And yes take a folding pole, catch some fresh dinner!

Chris

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2015, 11:14:19 AM »
to access the pumice planes from that side you need to take the 216g trail about 1.5 miles to the castle lake trail that will lead you on down into the unit...the trail is not maintaned

you can not take the road down to the lake an legally walk from there to the unit ...so going to the lake is pointless unless for a hike/fishing trip

Legal or not it's a 2000 foot climb out which seems like alot for a cow

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2015, 06:42:26 AM »
I've been close a couple times but never fished it.  Sounds like packing the canoe it might be more than it's worth for one fish.
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Offline jackelope

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2015, 01:19:24 PM »
Big fish. Last I knew lots of them. Bring a float tube. I've heard it's a hell March to get to the water. Can't say for sure though.
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Offline kentrek

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2015, 02:02:40 PM »
Big fish. Last I knew lots of them. Bring a float tube. I've heard it's a hell March to get to the water. Can't say for sure though.

If you go to castle with the thought of catching lots and lots of big fish your setting your self up for disappointment...it's not a bad hike if you know what your doing but there are lots of stories of people never making it to the lake

If your not real experienced in big country I'd definitely recommend taking the road down to the lake

I was just on the castlelake trail a couple day ago and it all but gone...not a problem if your hunting the pummy planes with passes to trespass on the monument but for the average Joe it's a pretty good fine to get caught off trail

Offline Bill W

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Re: Can I get to Castle lake?
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2015, 03:15:51 PM »
I was thinking about the castle lake north of George.   no elk but some  fish.   mike w

Same here.  I thought that's the lake he wanted.

 


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