Hike to Lake of the Angels

The trail up to Lake of the Angels, known as the Putvin Trail, starts out pretty mellow with a gradual uphill climb. Your first marker will be an old roadbed at around 1.4 miles, but you'll need to cross two ravines before making it there. It's thick forest with gorgeous views in the clearings, so make sure to give your legs a break before the serious uphill starts.

Throughout the next 1.7 miles, you'll climb nearly 2,000 feet of switchbacks and steep inclines. It can get a bit slippery after rain, so take your time going up (and more importantly coming down). About 1/4 mile in, you enter Mount Skokomish Wilderness. Soon after, the trail hits a headwall with no way to get around but going up. A yellow rope has been tied in by a fellow hiker; however, you can make it up by using various handholds on the rock.

Once you're past this point, you have a bit of a break as you walk through the open meadows and marshes. Soak in the views as you cross Whitehorse Creek, then push up the final snowfield to the lake. The trail is steep, but relatively easy and much shorter than what you just pushed up.

You made it! Awesome. Enjoy this rad lake and take a lunch break near the shore. Skip some rocks, explore the little waterfalls, and relax. If you're really feeling up for it, hop into the lake and freeze in the glacier water. During the summer time there can be some marmot and mountain goat activity, so make sure you don't leave your food out in the open.

On your way out (or in), you'll pass some signs for The Danger Zone. If you're in need of some fireworks or just want to say hi, this was our favorite little stand to stop at.

Getting there: Head north on US 101 from Olympia. 14 miles north of Hoodsport, turn left onto Hamma Hamma River Road (FR 25). Continue for about 12 miles and you'll see the trailhead on your right. You'll need to display a Forest Pass, so make sure you've got one on you.