Yellow Pages
Now is the time to hike to Ross Lake Resort. Summer crowds have thinned and school is in session, which means one might be able to find a place to park in the relatively small lot.
Ross Dam was completed in 1952, corralling the Skagit River and forming the 22-mile long Ross Lake. The trail descends to the top of the dam.
When walking across the massive concrete structure, be prepared for gusty winds.
From the dam, you will get unblemished views of the lake and river. The river explodes from spillways a vertigo-inducing 500 feet below the top of the dam.
The destination of this hike is Ross Lake Resort. The resort was built from the remains of a floating camp used by loggers who harvested timber as the valley was slowly flooded in about 1952.
The resort has a storied history. Generations of families have visited its cabins and fished the waters of the lake for Dolly Varden, rainbow and bull trout.
This hike picks up where last week’s Ross Dam Trail left off — at the dam’s west end and the trailhead for the Big Beaver and Resort trails.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Destination: Ross Lake Resort
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 520 feet
Getting there: Highway 20 to about milepost 134, about 14 miles east of Newhalem. The trailhead parking lot is on the north side of the road at an elevation of 2,150 feet.
The Trek: Once at the west side of the dam, locate the remains of an old cement road.
Take it to the right.
This is the trailhead for the Resort and Big Beaver trails. In about 100 feet, the roadway disappears and is replaced by dirt tread.
Big Beaver Trail is a 26-mile backpacking trail. It’s a popular trek, so be prepared to see hikers with packs on their backs.
Continuing along the shoreline, the waters of Ross Lake shimmer in the sunshine. A gust of wind puts a chop on the water.
Across Ross Lake, Happy Creek falls into the lake.
The route is now bordered by the lake on the right and a steep hillside with the occasional rock wall on the left. At the top of a hill, the resort again comes into view.
Now steadily climbing, the trail enters the forest. Hop over a small stream as you make your way toward the resort.
Following several switchbacks, the lake now is several hundred feet below the trail. Rounding a bend, hop across a dry streambed.
Looking up the streambed, it becomes obvious that during certain times of the year, the creek roars with runoff.
Climbing a rock-strewn section of trail, you’ll soon get fantastic views complete with waterfalls.
The drop-off on the right is extreme. Make sure of your footing as the trail narrows.
The path continues along the face of the mountain, entering then exiting the woods.
Descending, bare patches erased by slides — and more dry streambeds — are found.
As the trail levels out, reach another intersection. Proceed right. A post proclaims the route to the “Resort.” Those heading out on the Big Beaver Trail will keep on going.
Continue downhill to the sounds of power boats plying the lake’s waters as fishermen search for finned foes.
A switchback near the shoreline is also a fork in the trail. Going right leads to the shoreline, fishing spots and fantastic views up and down the lake.
Continue left toward the first of many cabins floating on Ross Lake. The first two cabins are two-story beauties. The rest are more rustic and single story.
The trail runs along the back doors of the resort’s cabins. Locate the walkway of planks and venture out onto the floating resort. Follow the signs to the resort’s office. Here, one can buy hats, T-shirts and supplies if need be.
There are phones at the resort. Two to be exact — and both are for the resort’s use only.
Exit the office and head onto the large docks. Rental boats tied to logs bob on the waves while resort vistors frolic in the water just outside their front door. At the end of the planks, towering high above, are Colonial, Snowfield and Pyramid peaks along with Paul Bunyan’s Stump.
Soak your feet while taking in the rustic ambiance, then hike back to the rig.
Ross Lake Resort Trail
Vince Richardson
Hikers can momentarily relax at Ross Lake Resort.
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