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This is a one-way trail to Cougar Lake and Little Cougar Lake via American Ridge Trail.


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Map Key

1.2

Miles

1.9

KM

73%

Runnable

5,400' 1,646 m

High

5,039' 1,536 m

Low

241' 73 m

Up

361' 110 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake

Description

This is a trail from American Ridge trail to Cougar Lake (and Little Cougar Lake). The start of the trail is not well marked, but is near a wooden bridge on American Ridge trail just a few hundred feet passed the intersection with Swamp Lake Trail.

Access to this trail is via two routes:
The shortest approach is via Swamp Lake Trailhead on Rd 1800 from Bumping River Road, then 4.6 miles on the Swamp Lake Trail until it intersects American Ridge Trail
The second option is via Chinook Pass, then Pacific Crest Trail (6.6 miles) to American Ridge Trail (1.4 miles). Trail itself climbs steadily on the first portion, then steep descent into the lake basin.

First lake you'll see is Little Cougar Lake which has a great, accessible shoreline. Access to Cougar Lake is by continuing on the trail which crosses the isthmus between the lakes. Cougar Lake is much larger, but more difficult approaches to the shore. Trail itself doesn't really have any highlights but the sight of Little Cougar is very welcome after the steep descent. Good selection of backcountry campsites with very good water access.

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Run Project Staff with improvements by Patrick Maes

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#4208

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#200

in Washington

#4,208

Overall
2 Views Last Month
148 Since Dec 7, 2018
Difficult Difficult

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Photos

Tricky start of Cougar Lake Trail just past this bridge on American Ridge Trail. This is looking West.
Sep 22, 2022 near Greenwater, WA
Reflections in Little Cougar Lake
Sep 22, 2022 near Greenwater, WA
Last rays over Little Cougar Lake.
Sep 23, 2022 near Greenwater, WA
Sunrise over Little Cougar Lake
Sep 22, 2022 near Greenwater, WA
Cougar Lake
Sep 22, 2022 near Greenwater, WA

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