Upper Twin Lake

Upper Twin Lake combines a two-mile bike ride on a gated forest road with a short half-mile trail through the Glacier Peak Wilderness boundary. The road gains 250 feet gradually through a thinned forest section, part of a community protection firebreak cut during the 2015 Wolverine Fire. After the gate, the trail climbs briefly, crosses one small stream, and drops to the lakeshore.

The lake itself is a working site for Washington State Fish and Wildlife. Two aluminum boats sit on the shore, used by staff accessing a fish breeding center for cutthroat trout. Fishing is prohibited in both Twin Lakes because the cutthroat here are breeding stock for stocking other waters. The shoreline is jammed with logs pushed by prevailing westerly winds, giving it a wild, untidy look.

This works well as a family outing or a mellow day with dogs. The bike-and-hike format keeps the road walk from dragging, and the lake makes a satisfying turnaround point with good spots for snacking along the shore. Birding is productive in the surrounding forest. Access road conditions can vary, with occasional closures for construction on the forest service road.