Packwood Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Packwood Lake |
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Mount Rainier from the southeast end of the lake
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 Packwood Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Packwood Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lewis County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°35′9″N 121°33′32″W / 46.58583°N 121.55889°W |
| Primary inflows | Upper and Lower Lake Creeks |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Max. width | 0.6 mi (1 km) |
| Surface elevation | 2,857 ft (871 m) |
| Islands | 1 (Wizard Island or Enchantment Island) |
Packwood Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake. It is found in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. The lake is close to the town of Packwood. It is a great spot for hiking and camping. Part of the lake is inside the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. The lake got its name from an early settler named William Packwood.
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About Packwood Lake
Packwood Lake is about 2,857 feet (871 meters) above sea level. It is located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Mount Rainier. The lake gets most of its water from Upper and Lower Lake Creeks. These creeks are fed by glaciers and flow down from Old Snowy Mountain. The lake is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long and 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) wide.
The lake is held in place by a natural barrier. About 1,200 years ago, a part of Snyder Mountain broke off. This landslide slid into the valley where Lake Creek flowed. It blocked the creek, which then formed the lake we see today. The deepest part of the lake is about 160 feet (49 meters) deep.
Agnes Island
There is an island in the lake called Agnes Island. Locals also call it Wizard Island or Enchantment Island. The U.S. Forest Service protects this island. Visitors are not allowed to land on it.
Animals of Packwood Lake
Packwood Lake is home to a special kind of rainbow trout. These trout have lived here for over a thousand years. They have changed over time, separate from other fish. They are known for their good taste and large size. However, their unique traits are slowly fading. This is because many other fish have been added to the lake over the years.
Many kinds of birds also live around the lake. You might see herons, bald eagles, and wood ducks. Larger animals are also common here. These include black bears, deer, elk, and raccoons. You might also spot cougars. In the higher areas above the lake, mountain goats live.
History of the Lake Area
Native Americans used the Packwood Lake area for thousands of years. They came here in the summer to hunt and live. The winters are very cold with lots of snow. This made the area hard to live in during the colder months.
In the early 1920s, people searched for minerals around the lake. They found some gold and silver. But there was not enough to make mining worthwhile. The area was also very far away, which made mining difficult.
Packwood Dam and Power
A small dam was built at Packwood Lake in 1964. Its purpose is to produce electricity. This dam is only a few feet tall. It creates a small pond that feeds water into pipes. These pipes carry water to a power plant. The plant generates 27 megawatts of electricity.
The dam was built with great care. The goal was to avoid harming the many animals and plants living around the lake. Water from Packwood Lake also provides drinking water for the town of Packwood.
Fun at Packwood Lake
Packwood Lake is a very popular place for hiking and camping. The main path to the lake is called Packwood Lake Trail #78. This trail is also a way to enter the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Many travelers stop at the lake on their way to other places. These include Mosquito and Lost Lakes, and Gilbert Peak.
There are two main trails to the lake from a paved parking lot. Both are about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long. One is the 'low trail' for all-terrain vehicles and horses. The 'upper trail' is only for hikers and horses. If you continue past the lake, you can find hundreds of miles of trails. These trails offer amazing views. The Pacific Crest Trail is about 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) beyond the lake.
The lake is also a great spot for fishing. You can fish from the shore or from a paddle boat. Boats with motors are not allowed. Also, you can only use lures with a single barbless hook. Fishing with bait is not allowed.
