WTA: Greenwater Trail

Hwy 410 southeast of Enumclaw. This is a lovely, valley-bottom trail through old-growth forest in the Norse Peak Wilderness. This trail needs a good annual brushing and lopping to re-open the corridor.

This is a lovely, valley-bottom trail through old-growth forest in the Norse Peak Wilderness. Echo Lake is seven miles from the trailhead and surrounded by forest. With only a 1600 foot elevation gain, the hike through these beautiful, tall, old trees to the alpine lake is well worth the effort. Beginning with a gentle ascent, the trail comes to a junction with the Lost Lake Trail, which leads about three miles to the lake and about 5.3 miles to the top of Noble Knob. From here, things get steeper, topping out at the junction with Maggie Creek Trail. The final mile is all downhill. Hikers, dogs and horses only. Total round trip: 14.5 miles

Driving directions:
From Enumclaw, take Highway 410 east for 20.3 miles to the Greenwater Road (Forest Service Road 70), about 2 miles beyond the small town of Greenwater. Turn left (north) onto FSR 70 and continue about 9 miles to Greenwater Trail Road (Forest Service Road 7033). Turn right onto FSR 7033 and continue approximately 1/2 mile to a large parking lot with horse unloading facilities. The trailhead is on the right. (Approximately 1.75 hours from Seattle.)