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Greenwood Lake

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
 46.6664, -121.8913 Map & Directions
Length
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,100 feet
Highest Point
4,750 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate
Greenwood Lake on a sunny summer day. Photo by Debbiem. Full-size image
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None
Saved to My Backpack

Hike to a sweet, small, little-known lake near the trailhead for High Rock lookout. Continue reading

Rating
2.83 out of 5

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11 trip reports for this trail

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Hiking Greenwood Lake

This delightful little trail leaves from Towhead Gap and descends along a brushy route to a sweet little lake filled with trout. Along the way you'll have views of Mount Adams and more.

The trail to Greenwood Lake heads south to meet the Allen Mountain Trail, then turns west to access Greenwood Lake. Sweet, small Greenwood Lake is a great add-on or alternate if you're in the area for High Rock. Once you're at the lake, the trail continues to link up with Forest Road 8511. However, you cannot loop back to your car from here -- you'll need to return the way you came. 

Toilet Information

  • No toilet at trailhead

More information about toilets

Greenwood Lake

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 46.6664, -121.8913 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

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Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

From Elbe, about 40 miles south of Tacoma along State Route 7, follow SR-706 east for 10.1 miles. When you pass Ashford, it is approximately two more miles to your next turn, a right onto Kernahan Road.

Follow the road 1.4 miles. Here it curves to the left, and becomes Skate Creek Road, which you follow for 3.3 miles. Turn onto FR-84, a smooth dirt road. Note that the sign for FR-84 is not visible when approaching the trailhead this way. After turning onto FR-84, continue on for 6.5 miles. Stay right when it forks. You are now on Road 8440. 2.6 miles along 8440, the road levels off and gets broad enough to park a dozen or more vehicles. This is Towhead Gap. Park here, at elevation 4320 feet. No pass is required. High Rock and the cabin are visible from the east side of the parking area.

It is possible to drive up to Towhead Gap from the other side, using Road 85, but take caution! Road 85 is considerably worse than Road 84; a couple of the potholes on Road 85 large enough to cause trip-ending damage, even to a high-clearance vehicle.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley

Greenwood Lake (#253)

Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

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Greenwood Lake

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