Horseshoe Lake (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Horseshoe Lake |
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 Horseshoe Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Horseshoe Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Skamania County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°18′31″N 121°34′10″W / 46.3086741°N 121.5694976°W |
| Lake type | natural |
| Primary inflows | seasonal tributary of Spring Creek, snowmelt/runoff |
| Primary outflows | evaporation and seepage |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 1,761 ft (537 m) |
| Max. width | 1,141 ft (348 m) |
| Surface area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 4,144 ft (1,263 m) |
| Islands | one small island separated by a narrow isthmus |
Horseshoe Lake is a beautiful lake located in the Midway High Lakes Area of Washington. It sits near the northwest side of Mount Adams. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun like camping, quiet boating, and exploring trails. You can use electric motors or canoes on the water. Many people also enjoy hiking and biking around the lake. It's a great place to see amazing views and go fishing. The lake has a campground with eleven sites, managed by the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
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Fun Activities at Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a favorite place for many outdoor activities. People love to come here for fishing, camping, and boating. On clear days, you can often see a perfect reflection of Mount Adams in the lake's calm waters.
Camping and Trails
The Horseshoe Lake Campground is right next to the lake. It has eleven campsites and is looked after by the Cowlitz Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A cool feature of the campground is the Green Mountain Trail. This trail goes halfway around the lake, giving you more chances to see Mount Adams.
You can also hike up to the top of Green Mountain from this trail. From there, you get amazing views of Mount Adams and its huge, icy northwest face. You can even see the Adams Glacier, which is the second largest glacier in the mainland United States!
Getting to the Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a popular place to visit in the summer. You can reach it by car using a few different roads. If you are coming from Trout Lake in the south, you take Primary Road 23, then Road 5601, and finally Road 2329.
If you are traveling from Randle or Packwood in the north, you can also use Primary Road 23 to Road 5601 and Road 2329. Another way from Packwood is to take Primary Road 21 to Road 2329.
Scenic Drives and Loops
There's a famous scenic drive called the High Lakes Loop. It starts from Packwood and takes you past Takhlakh Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and other lakes in the Midway High Lakes Area. The loop then follows the beautiful Cispus River to Randle, and finally back to Packwood along US Route 12. This whole drive is part of the White Pass Scenic Byway and offers incredible views.
