9.7 hr
Overview
Even though, it is close to the rough Sherar Burn Road and the Devils Peak Trailhead, little Kinzel Lake is a good destination for a longer day hike or backpack when approached from the Salmon River West Trailhead. Since it also guarantees a sure source of water, it may be a better overnight site than Devils Peak in the late summer or early fall, when the spring near the latter often runs dry. Kinzel Lake itself is botanically unusual and this hike also allows you to experience a ruggedly beautiful section of the Salmon River as it runs through wilderness. The trail parallels the pristine, shaded Salmon River and cuts across a bend in deep woods. Then it swings out to the river again and cuts off another bend. After a small boardwalk, you'll note some large Douglas-firs and cross a plank bridge over a gully. Hike under a maple-cloaked cliff at another bend in the river, and pass a large cedar on the left. The route continues through lush woods of cedar, Douglas-fir and hemlock. Oxalis and sword fern are the main ingredients in the forest carpet. After crossing a bigger creek on a log bridge, you'll pass a wilderness permit box and map board and then the wilderness sign. From now on, spurs to the right lead to numerous campsites as you hike close to the river. Old-growth Douglas-firs dominate a stretch where you cross three small creeks and pass by a small boulder field. Now you're high above the river, and you'll come to a split in the trail. The right track crosses an exposed meadow below the Salmon River Viewpoint and then switchbacks up to rejoin the main trail. On the return, you can take the "inland" trail, which prefers the shady woods with some detours to rocky viewpoints. After the trails come together, a spur right leads to a grassy viewpoint, and then you pass by a few seeps. Another spur trail leads down to a campsite as you come close to the Salmon River again. The trail turns into a drainage to cross another creek. After this, pass by a steep grassy meadow and promontory and look for a scramble
Trail Stats
27.7 km
1053 m
1315 m
0 m
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Photos
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600px-KinzelLakeMap
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TKO put tools to trail here.png
TKO put tools to trail here.png