Poodle Dog Pass - Silver Lake - Twin Lakes Trails #708
| Trail Uses |  |
Length | 4.4 miles one-way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season of Use | Summer / Fall | Beginning Elevation | 2800 feet |
| Visitor Use | Medium | Ending Elevation | 4800 feet |
| Map(s) | Green Trails: Sloan Peak #111, Monte Cristo #143 | Level of Difficulty | Most Difficult |
Access:
From the Verlot Public Service Center, travel east on the Mountain Loop Highway 19.5 miles to Barlow Pass. Park here and proceed on foot past the gate on the Monte Cristo Road for 4.0 miles to the junction with the Monte Cristo campground road. At this junction go right (south) and continue across the bridge to the trailhead, a distance of 20 yards.
Attractions & Considerations:
This steep, rugged trail enters the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness and leads to the divide between the South Fork Sauk and the Silver Creek drainages to Poodle Dog Pass. A short side trail on the right takes you to 36.9-acre Silver Lake. The lake is situated an alpine setting and has been reported as barren of fish.
Continuing on the main trail, the route traverses a long, open ridge with a panorama of Wilmans Peak, Columbia Peak and the surrounding ridges. The route includes a rock scramble as it nears the Twin Lakes overlook. At the overlook, 3.6 miles from Monte Cristo, the trail descends 600 ft. to the right and reaches Upper Twin Lake at 4.4 miles. This scenic area offers fishing and exploring. Visitors are asked to restrict camping to the established sites. Campfires are prohibited in this area.