It was mid-April 2016, and I was anxious to get outside. Fortunately, my oldest (almost 8) was also excited to try backpacking for his first trip. I also needed to try out my new tent, the Nemo Dagger 2P.
I found Barclay Lake on a list of recommended first backpacking trips. Trip reports showed that at this time of year, there is plenty of blowdown from winter, so the trail would be blocked and the walk might be a bit slower than normal. We found trees cut through up to 1.75 miles from the trailhead, leaving about 40 trees to climb over, under, or around over the last mile to the lake.
Unfortunately, we planned on a late start to avoid other commitments. We arrived at the trailhead just before 7pm, leaving only an hour before sunset to cover the 2.7 miles to the lake. Not ideal, especially on a first trip, but sometimes you have to make it work.
Trailhead
End of NF-6024 in Gold Bar, WA
Mileage
2.2 miles each way, with about 500 ft of elevation gain on the way in
Difficulty
Easy
Amenities
:Several sites near the lake with good views of Mount Baring. A dry creek bed (at least when we were there) along a talus field makes for good climbing from Barclay Lake toward Eagle Lake. Counting as you reach the lake, campsites 2, 5, and 7 were our favorites.
Raves
- great scenery at the lake
- options for several more challenging dayhikes by extending to Eagle Lake
- relative solitude if you pick the right time
Rants
- downed trees after winter might make the hike take longer
- this place gets busy in good weather
- established sites might be under downed trees
Are you looking for more ideas on where to go backpacking? Check out the Destinations page for more Trip Reports and other resources.
