[catfish206]

Hey folks. Was perusing topos and came across these lakes. Did a little research and it looks like one needs a Hancock Permit to access them from the west but I'm not finding a ton of info on getting to them with an approach from the Middle Fork side. Do you need a permit to even access at all? And if not, can you get close by way of Bessemer Road and head in that way? And if so, could one potentially camp at any of these lakes?

[cambajamba]

Yes, you 100% need the Campbell Global (or whoever these days) permit to access the land, even on foot.

[catfish206]

According to the vicinity map on Campbell Global's website the lakes are outside of their acess area. Am I reading it correctly? https://www.sqrecreation.com/sites/default/files/Snoqualmie_Forest_Recreation_Access_Map_2018.pdf Could that be why folks would need a permit to enter from the west? Because in order to reach the lakes that way you'd have to pass through the access area?

[RichP]

[jackchinook]

King County Parcel view site shows the same thing and the DNR's Mt Si NRCA site mentions the lake cluster specifically and gives some info on rec use rules/regs (Day Use Only).

[catfish206]

So, yes they can be accessed but no you can't camp there. Got it. Thanks all!

[cambajamba]

What would that permitless access from the east look like though?

[Dante]

I'm interested in this, too. Last time I was up there was in the 1970s or 1980s with my dad and the Trailblazers. We accessed a trail to the lakes from the Hancock side. I'd like to go back, but don't want to pay for a Hancock (or whatever) permit.

[catfish206]

On the ground it could be a different animal but the sat map shows what look like very discernible trails/roads.

[puzzlr]

That mess of disturbed ground near the ridge line is the active Crown Lakes LLC talus mine. They sold the land to the DNR for inclusion in the Mt Si NRCA but retained the rights to mine landscape rock for 30 years -- which expires in 2033. The old roads that crossed over the ridge from the Snoqualmie Tree Farm (now Campbell) have been completely decommissioned including slope restoration. But you can easily walk/ride the Bessemer road from the Middle Fork all the way up to the mine then cross over on foot. No permits required (other than a Discover Pass to park). The lakes are very slowly recovering from the inappropriate clear cut logging all around them. With a motorized Campbell permit it's possible to drive almost all the way to the lakes before you hit a gate.

Crown Lakes pano

Excavator

Landscape Rock mine