WillhiteWeb.com - Hiking, Climbing and Travel
There is an area close to everyone in the South Puget Sound that few venture into. It is part of the big black hole on the map, discarded as restricted due to the Green River Watershed. But there is State DNR land not in the watershed, and they call it the Enumclaw State Forest. There are no maps and recreation is not encouraged or discouraged. So, you can go explore, just stop when you hit the watershed sign. Although my route here passes through the watershed, I had permission. The DNR has a lot of timberlands in the Green River Watershed where logging does take place. This loop took me 12 hours.
Charley Creek Natural Area Loop
Distance: 20+ miles
Elevation Gain: Lots, depends on what summits you do
Trailhead Access: Paved with short bit of gravel
Cumberland is seven miles northeast of Enumclaw, off State Route 169. At the north end of the town, turn east on Kuzak Road and follow to the end. Unfortunately, leaving a car at this location is risky, have insurance.
Access:
Charley Creek Natural Area
Lynn Lake Area
Enumclaw State Forest
Grass Mountain Ridge
A Distant Grass Mountain Ridge - The loop goes along that crest
Hanson Hill
Hudson Mountain
Hudson Mountain
Hanson Hill
East side of Grass Mountain
Grass Mountain from the West Grass Mountain area
North from the West Grass Mountain area to the State Lands endpoint
Marking the entrance to the watershed from the White River Forest
On the Grass Mountain Ridgeline heading to Grass Mountain
Looking north into the Lynn Lake Basin
Howard A Hanson Reservoir
Utility shed near Lynn Lake
Above Lynn Lake looking to Grass Mountain North
White River Valley looking east toward Greenwater
White River Valley looking southwest toward Buckley
Small lake west of the Grass Mountain HP
View north from the powerlines near Lynn Lake
Looking down to Lynn Lake and up to the Grass Mountain Ridgeline
North side of Grass Mountain
Beaverdam Lake
Charley Creek
Un-named creek in the forest
Dropping into the Charley Creek drainage
Forest floor near Charley Creek
Charley Creek
Charley Creek
Forest around Beaverdam Lake
Turning south on the Enumclaw State Forest Ridge
On the ridge in the Enumclaw State Forest
Hiking out of the Puget Sound Basin
East side of Grass Mountain North (south peak)
Looking up the Green River Watershed with Kelly Butte in distance
At the end of the Enumclaw State Forest with the property line for the Charley Creek Natural Area below. Notice the entire bowl is old trees.