I think I have mentioned a few times that the process of having to fix the website last year gave me the goal this year to get back to some of the hikes I have not visited in years. That is why you saw me at Barclay Lake and the East Fork Foss River at the beginning of 2024.
Now that I am back in the country and the fair weather has returned, I decided yesterday was the perfect day to get out on trail to another one. Weighing my options, I finally decided on Dorothy, Bear and Deer Lakes up State Route 2. I had not been there since the fall of 2015 and with the road closure in 2020 at the bridge 5 miles in, it hadn’t called to me to visit since then.
I remember when I was there in November of 2015, that the road was in horrible shape. It was one of my first trip reports on Washington Trail Association about how I was only able to get 5 miles in before having to turn around.
I guess in 2020 they decided that bridge was not safe enough and with the road damage further on and not having budget money, they would just close it and give that trail a needed break.
Anyway, with my biking legs in decent shape I thought I would ride the 4 miles up the road and then hike as far as Bear and Deer for a day trip. Maybe even take a swim and make it a triathlon!
Arriving at the trailhead around 8:30 am and there were about 7 cars, I was kicking myself for being such a sleepy head but oh well. I told myself they must have all stayed the night up at the lake, it was Thursday after all. There was a new trailhead kiosk for filling out permits so I did that first and then hopped on my bike for the ride up. The road is most certainly not safe for vehicle traffic at this point.
I had checked out Caltopo and made sure the road just followed the East Fork Miller River without crossing too many contour lines but of course, there was some gain to be had on the 3.9 miles to the original trailhead, roughly 812 feet according to Strava. I ended up passing 4 groups hiking up with heavy packs and although separated, they did appear to maybe be all the same group. That would account for maybe 3 of the cars in the lot?
The road took me about 50 minutes to make it to the original trailhead and there were a few spots where I pushed my bike over washouts and stopped for pictures of the valley. Most of the road is shaded so that was nice.
The privy was closed so I didn’t do much except park my bike and extend my hiking poles before beginning my hike about quarter to 10. It really isn’t nice that the sign says Dorothy Lake is only 1.5 miles away when really it is about 2.5 before you can enjoy its shore. Remember that for the mental game if you ever go!
It is funny how it can be years since you have hiked a trail and hiked hundreds in the gap but it will still feel like a familiar walk and you quickly pick out familiar waypoints. The memory of making Camp Robber Creek a waterslide below the bridge with hiking friends came to me as I reached its span around .6 miles in. The waterflow was definitely much stronger than our visit at the end of July in 2015, I was most certainly influenced by a much braver friend. I paused long enough to notice all the side creeks that drain into Camp Robber here as well as how slabby the creek bed is versus others.
I knew there would be stairs galore as soon as I crossed the bridge and continued on the trail but I had clearly blocked out how many. I am sure it beats the rocky and rooty trail it once was but goodness, my knees! A significant tree had fallen about 1.2 miles in and taken out some stairs but otherwise the trail was in great shape.
Reaching the junction at the outlet for the lake at about 10:30 and 1.6 miles from the original trailhead, I opted to save a stop at the outlet until the way out and continued up and around the lake.
Here the trail stayed well above the shore and offered peek-a-boo views of Dorothy.
It was also about here that I first noticed a trail of what was clearly smoke drifting on the ridge on the other side (albeit faintly) and by the time I reached halfway around the lake, I could even smell smoke. Great, that was one thing I had not thought to check. Was there a fire in the area? Had someone made a campfire up at Bear or Deer? Could the Pioneer Fire’s smoke be reaching this far? I tried to not get carried away thinking about it but it did stay in the back of my mind.
I didn’t see any campers on my walk around the lake but I also did not go down the side trails to look. The peace and calm of the morning had me thinking if anyone had camped last night, they had done it further up at Bear or Deer.
The inlet crossing at 3.3 miles was wide but a rock crossing was possible (poles were instrumental). I wished I had brought my sandals so I could ford it and give my feet a dip but alas, wishing didn’t make it so.
On the other side I took a short break before the climb up to Bear and Deer. I say short because although the bugs were not horrible, if you stopped they were in your face. I had my bug net on most of the hike as I got tired of winged insects getting in my eyeballs or up my nose. Isn’t hiking grand?
There are a few fun (AKA large) logs to maneuver on the switchbacks but thankfully notches were cut that made things a little easier. Except for one where you have to leave trail and travel below as there was simply not enough room underneath, it was possible to stay on the trail for the rest.
Glancing back down at Dorothy, it appeared smokier than before but the skies above me were still blue. Good news maybe? You can tell the lake has seen higher levels as this end is leaning towards marshy in places now.
After making it over the crest at about 3800 feet and then dropping down, I made it to Bear’s shoreline at 5.3 miles and about 1pm. The smoke was stronger here and came from the east so it was probable that it was the Pioneer Fire. Nothing seemed to be on fire close by.
I walked around Bear and then took the side trail that goes between the two lakes to come to where Bear flows in Deer Lake. My original intention had been to hang my hammock, knit and take a swim but it was now 1:20pm and at the rate I was going I wouldn’t be back to the car until after 5pm if I didn’t stop. It is times like these when I question my life’s choices. Did I pick too many berries on the way in? I ended up modifying my plan to include soaking my feet, snacking and then turning around. I still had not seen a single person on the trail, which is rare these days!
On my way back around Dorothy is when I ran into people, particularly the backpackers from the road finally making it to camp. As their packs were large, I imagine they were pretty happy to have finally made it to camp.
Stopping at the outlet for Dorothy, I soaked my feet again which was well worth it for the trek back down all those stairs.
I arrived at my bike around 5:30pm and it was a 30 minute or so coast back down the road to my car. I didn’t see anyone once leaving Dorothy.
I was too pooped to stop and eat on this trek but the lukewarm grapefruit seltzer water in the car sure did it the spot. Now to rest a few days before the next adventure!
You can find more details about this trail on my Dorothy, Bear, Deer Trail page.
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That looks like a very pretty hike. I am not experienced enough to go alone, so I admire your skill and confidence.