The trail to Cutthroat Lakes has been around for quite a while, but it's been recently improved and I think this is the first year that the forest service has directed people to it. I suspect that it will get known quickly and become very busy. It's a short, moderately difficult hike with great camping, super views and close to Seattle.
We got trail info at Verlot and started on the trail at 10am. There's no parking area at the trailhead--the road just stops--so get yourself turned around first unless you want to back out. There were two cars at 10.
The first mile is south along a valley through forest. The trail is clearly new and rugged in spots with some good sized steps over roots and around rock.
Mile two enters meadows of blueberries and heathers and crosses a few older rock falls. We stopped for a snack by a small stream in one of these meadows and watched a frog jockey for position among the rocks. A few hundred yards further on we saw a young black bear in a grassy meadow at the foot of an overgrown talus.
The trail gets quite steep the last mile as it gains the high valley with the lakes. Once into the valley the trail winds past several small (dry on this day) lakes beforel cresting a small ridge overlooking the first of the larger lakes well below the trail level. We continued on to a smaller lake with a small island--ate lunch on a little peninsula, skinny-dipped over to the island and back, and watched two campers on Bald Mt peak. We were the only ones there.
There are numerous tent sites and firepits with grills as well as a portolet outhouse.
After lunch we took the trail up and around behind Bald Mt. More blueberry meadows and lots of bear scat. We overshot the spur that heads up to the summit and were headed downhill toward Ashland Lakes--another approach and possible loop hike--before turning back. The summit is an easy and well-marked scramble with views to Rainier, Glacier and probably Baker, though it was cloudy to the N. Spada Lake and its dam are in full view from the S side of Bald Mt.
Once back to the lake we met several parties of campers and day hikers, still not a big number, considering the great features of the hike.
East of Verlot, turn right on Mallardy Rd to FS rd (4032? It's pretty clear) to the end of the rd.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.