Forum Index > Trip Reports > Dingford Creek-Horseshoe Lake 07/18/22
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Am0ngTh3Pin3s
Hannah



Joined: 02 Oct 2021
Posts: 11 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle, WA
Am0ngTh3Pin3s
Hannah
PostThu Jul 28, 2022 1:34 pm 
Had a successful attempt navigating to Horseshoe Lake off the Dingford Creek trail. The first 2.5ish miles along Dingford creek contained mostly switchbacks through a beautiful forest. After the switchbacks, the trail flattens a bit and goes through a very overgrown section of huckleberries and Devil's Club. After crossing Goat creek, the junction to get to the lake is just around the corner. There is no official marker for this trail, but we noticed some pink ribbons and followed them up. CalTopo says the lake is 0.9 miles from the junction which is accurate, but it feels longer because of how steep it is. Not to mention, we hiked up in the fog so all the bushes we brushed past were soaking wet. We pushed up the trail and were able to follow it almost the whole way. There was one spot where we lost the trail on the way up, where we first started the notice Skunk Cabbage growing. We meandered around a bit and were able to find the trail again. We didn't have any more trouble after getting through this point, and we didn't veer off the trail on the way back down.
We got to the lake and it was completely covered by fog. Took our lunch break and rung the water out of some of our clothes, and like magic, the lake appeared through the fog. It was certainly worth sticking around for a bit because it really is a gorgeous lake.
The hike down was hard on the knees and very wet; we found ourselves slipping multiple times. Poles would have been helpful, but I wouldn't say they are necessary. Our total mileage ended up being 7.77 miles with 2629 ft. of elevation gain. Didn't see a single person on the trail all day.

ChrisSJI, RichP, Kim Brown, ALW Hiker, Slim, Bramble_Scramble, reststep  awilsondc
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ALW Hiker
lakebagger



Joined: 27 Jul 2021
Posts: 120 | TRs | Pics
Location: Redmond, WA
ALW Hiker
lakebagger
PostThu Jul 28, 2022 2:19 pm 
Nice one! Horseshoe is a very pretty lake - that's nice the fog cleared out enough for you to see it. The peninsula that makes it a horseshoe was technically an island when I was there last spring! smile.gif
One minor correction for others who might read this - the trail up is at Goat Creek, not Pumpkinseed Creek. The latter is only about a mile in, whereas Goat Creek is about two miles in. That sliding section of trail just before Pumpkinseed Creek seems like it may give way at any time, but especially in a big rain event. It's going to be an interesting reroute project when it does finally go.

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Am0ngTh3Pin3s
Hannah



Joined: 02 Oct 2021
Posts: 11 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle, WA
Am0ngTh3Pin3s
Hannah
PostThu Jul 28, 2022 3:17 pm 
Thanks for noticing that mistake. I've fixed it in the original report. smile.gif

ALW Hiker
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KascadeFlat
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Joined: 06 Jul 2020
Posts: 310 | TRs | Pics
Location: Eating peanut M&Ms under my blue tarp
KascadeFlat
Member
PostFri Jul 29, 2022 6:59 am 
Great report, thanks for posting!

For a good time call: 1-800-SLD-ALDR.

Am0ngTh3Pin3s
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ChrisSJI
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Joined: 23 Jun 2008
Posts: 361 | TRs | Pics
Location: San Juan Island
ChrisSJI
Member
PostThu Aug 04, 2022 7:46 am 
Great report! Always enjoyed that hike when I lived in Seattle. It’s fun to raft across to the inlet stream and hike up to Goat Lake.

Am0ngTh3Pin3s
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Forum Index > Trip Reports > Dingford Creek-Horseshoe Lake 07/18/22
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