Kelcema Lake
Sitting in a forested mountain bowl, Kelcema Lake is one of the easiest backpacking trips around. The half mile trail is so short and easy, if you do this as a day hike, plan at least two that day. Old guidebooks claim the lake once had a boyscout camp and others claim it is just popular with boyscouts. Because of this and since the lake is so close to the trailhead, expect to find lots of camping spots and lots of noise on weekends. A rough trail skirts around the lake but is overgrown in places.
WillhiteWeb.com - Washington Hiking
Access:
From the Verlot Forest Service Station, drive roughly 12 miles to a left on Deer Creek Road. Follow the Deer Creek Road for 4.5 miles to the trailhead.
Route:
The trail is straightforward, passing through a nice old forest, slowly climbing some small hills. Before you know it, you are at the lake. Most camps are off to the right. A couple of small tent spots (and bit more quiet) are to the left on the other side of the lake outlet.
Distance: 0.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Access: Decent Gravel
Log jam at the lake outlet
Kelcema Lake
Logs and Kelcema Lake
Crossing the logs at the lake outlet
Campsite at Kelcema Lake
On the trail
Kelcema Lake from a rocky overlook on the north side, with Bald Mountain above
Boulder River Wilderness
Kelcema Lake trailhead