The Lake Dorothy Trail rises moderately to Lake Dorothy (1.5 miles), then steepens on rough, undulating terrain to Bear Lake (5.4 miles), Deer Lake (5.75 miles) and Snoqualmie Lake (6.95 miles). Visitors will enjoy 4 versatile, deep-woods lakes with diverse terrain, good fishing and numerous camping options.

View from Lake Dorothy's outlet, which forms the East Fork Miller River (which joins Camp Robber Creek and flows into the Skykomish River)

The Lake Dorothy Trail runs 2 miles up the east shore from outlet to inlet

The term 'old growth' is evolving, but typically refers to forests that are 150-200+ years old with abundant downed wood, snags and a multi-layered canopy

Snoqualmie Lake's large, contoured shore holds several sandy coves

Snoqualmie Lake is a major headwater of the Taylor River, which feeds the East Fork Snoqualmie River

Bear Lake (3,610') and Deer Lake (3,583') are similar in size, shape and overall aesthetic; only a thin, elevated ridge separates the two

Cedar trees resistance to decay comes from naturally occurring fungicidal compounds in the wood (thujaplicins) and thujic acid, which helps make the wood resistant to insect attack

The trail climbs 740' in just one mile from the SW side of Lake Dorothy to a ridge separating it from the Bear-Deer-Snoqualmie lakes

Native Americans used vine maple's strong but pliable wood for baskets, snowshoe frames and fishing net bows

Reinforced crib steps assist on the 530' climb from Camp Robber Creek to Lake Dorothy

The main trail only flirts with a small cove on Snoqualmie Lake before veering back into the woods; to really see it, you'll have to follow spurs to established campsites around the lake

Dorothy Lake's inlet area opens to marshy wetlands, sluices and peninsulas that extend far into the lake

A big log jam at Lake Dorothy's outlet, which is a protected, day use-only area

Interesting outcrops and several wade-able / swimmable islands are located along the east side of Dorothy

Snoqualmie Lake on the descent from Deer Lake

This trail is rough! Rock-root-rock-root conditions run almost the entire way from Lake Dorothy to Snoqualmie Lake

Lake Dorothy attracts crowds throughout the summer and early fall; consider campsites on the west side, which sees far few people