07. SPIDER LAKE in the OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST
Spider Lake is a narrow lake in a valley with old, tall trees. The trail around the lake used to be longer with ancient trees, but most were cut down. Now, the trail is shorter but has been fixed up, and the trees on the hills are growing back.
Highlights: Old-growth forest
Distance: 2.0 mile loop; Difficulty: Easy with 250’ elevation gain; Permits: None; Season: Year round
Kid and Dog Friendly: Yes; Trailhead Amenities: None; GPS waypoint: N47 24.881 W123 25.715
Map: Green Trails Mt Tebo No. 199; Contact: Olympic National Forest, www.fs.usda.gov/olympic
Trailhead Directions: From Shelton, travel north on US 101 for 7 miles, turn left at milepost 340 onto the Skokomish Valley Rd. Follow for 5.6 miles, bearing right at a V intersection onto Forest Road 23. Continue for 9.3 miles and bear left at a junction with FR 2353. Then drive graveled FR 23 for 7 miles to the trailhead on the left.
Due to its low elevation, Spider Lake makes for a good hike year round. But early summer is an exceptionally good time to visit when dwarf dogwood and queen’s cup blossoms blanket the forest floor with white bouquets.
Starting from an unassuming trailhead immediately enter cool old growth forest and soon come to a junction. Turn right (although either direction will work), cross the outlet stream and reach Spider’s western shoreline. Now saunter along passing big trees and good viewpoints of the placid lake. Gaze up at the surrounding ridges. The intensively logged surroundings offer quite a contrast to the virgin groves surrounding the lake. After an easy mile, cross a small creek and come to a junction. The trail right steeply climbs a short distance to an alternative trailhead. The loop continues left traversing above the green waters of the lake and beneath the emerald canopy of ancient behemoths. Along the lake’s eastern shoreline the trail climbs a bit across a steep side slope. After crossing an impressive high log bridge, begin descending back to lake level. Cross a stream in a marshy area and return to the first junction. Then head right to return to your start.