Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake Trail
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Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake Trail
Difficulty Rating:
Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake Trail is a pleasant, quiet hike. This 11.5mi moderate trail is frequented by hikers, backpackers, fishers, and equestrians, but it retains a sense of solitude. It’s a good trail to watch animals on, with elk, deer, birds, and sometimes bears in the area.
We recommend a potent bug spray for this trail.
Getting there
The trailhead for the Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake Trail is at the end of National Forest Development Road 1800.
About
| Backcountry Campground | Cougar Lake |
| When to do | June-October |
| Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
| Family friendly | No |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | Low |
| Route Type | Out and back |
Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake Trail
Elevation Graph
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Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake Trail Description
This calm, enjoyable hike is a bit of a hidden gem in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie area. It’s not too challenging and offers the chance to enjoy local wildlife, fish, camp, or just take a walk in nature.
The hike begins from the end of the forest road. Swamp Lake Trail runs parallel to Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake Trail, but you’ll want to make sure you’re starting on the correct trailhead.
Cross a creek and wind through the forest. Your route crosses Swamp Lake’s route multiple times, so just keep an eye on the GPS if you ever think you might be off-trail. Even if you do veer off, though, both trails will get you to Swamp Lake where you will rejoin the correct path to continue.
A little climb brings you up to Swamp Lake, where you might see people fishing. Drop down to a 4-way junction where you’ll take the leftmost trail. You’ll descend around a ridge to the shores of Little Cougar Lake and Cougar Lake.
The trail continues between the lakes and further, but you can turn around after enjoying the lakes and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
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