Explore the Exposed Shoreline of Lake Keechelus
Mouth of Roaring Creek where it is carving a new channel through the exposed lakeshore. Photo credit: I. Hackett
If you have ever driven across Snoqualmie Pass, you have driven along the shore of Lake Keechelus which is just on the east side of the pass. You have probably noticed, if you have driven over at different times of the year, how the level of this lake drops dramatically over the course of the summer as water held behind the dam is released to support irrigation in the Yakima Basin. What you may not realize is that it is quite easy to get down to the exposed shoreline on the west side of the lake, an oddly peaceful spot as you can watch cars rushing by on I-90 along the east shore, and yet you may be the only one down on the lake bed. You can clamber along the cliffs, climb to the top of the hills that are islands for most of the year, rest on the lakeshore, fish, or even go for a swim, or kayak/boat (either bring an inflatable or, if you are going out early in the season, you can launch from the USFS boat launch at the north end of the lake). The views from the lake are spectacular with the high peaks of the Cascade Range in the background, and the creeks carve interesting channels through the exposed lake bed. I have hiked down to the lakeshore regularly over the past five years, and it is always fun to explore when the water level recedes, but this year the water level is particularly low, making the landscape even more interesting. The creeks running into the lake are carving new canyons through the exposed sand and it is possible to walk almost the entire shoreline—although there are a couple of points where you have to scramble along cliffs.
There is only one official access point directly on the lake, the USFS boat launch at the north end, and, starting in 2023, that launch will close in late July or August as the lake level drops to protect bull trout spawning habitat. However, you can access the lake from the Palouse to Cascades Trail (hike, horse, or mountain/gravel bike), or you can park at the end of an old FS road off of Lost Lake Road approximately one mile above the dam and follow the road a short distance to the trail and lakeshore. This road is just south of Washington State Park’s Roaring Creek Campground, which has tent sites and a vault toilet. Unless you park at the USFS boat launch, you will need to drop down from the old railroad grade of the Palouse to Cascades Trail. This drop is too steep to descend in most areas, but there are a number of places along the trail where the lakebed is accessible, even for a not very nimble person like me. My favorite areas to descend to the lakeshore are a spot just north of the State Park’s Roaring Creek Campground, one north of the Roaring Creek Bridge (there is a steep descent just past the bridge, but if you walk a few minutes farther north you will find a ramp gently descending to the lakeshore). I have also seen people getting to the lakeshore near the Cold Creek Campground and from Meadow Creek at the south end of the lake.
You can explore the lake in an easy day trip from Seattle—it takes less than an hour to get to any of the access points—or make it an overnight trip and stay at one of the two State Park campgrounds along the trail. These hike/bike campgrounds have tent sites nestled in the trees and vault toilets.
There is good fishing in this lake and you can keep your catch, as long as it meets the requirements of the WDFW fishing regulations. However, make sure you know how to identify bull trout, a protected species that is found in the lake. If you hook a bull trout, you need to release it before taking it out of the water.
You will need a Discover Pass at the Hyak Trailhead and a Northwest Forest Pass or Federal Access Pass if you want to park at the boat launch, but no pass is required at the other access points.
Keep in mind that the eastern shore of the lake is closed to all uses to prevent disturbances to animals using the animal crossings and motor vehicles are not allowed on the lakebed to protect bull trout spawning habitat.