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Mount Dickerman Trail #710

Our Hiking Time: 4h 50m
Total Ascent: 3800ft
Highest Point: 5723ft
Total Distance: 8 miles
Location: N 48° 4.1340, W 121° 28.2600
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Difficulty: Hard

Nathan's PhotoThis week we continued our exploration of the Mountain Loop Highway by tackling Mt. Dickerman, one of the area’s more challenging trails. The trail promised an easily accessible trailhead and breath-taking views. And it delivered.

Mt. Dickerman was named after Alton L. Dickerman, a mining engineer who was sent to assess the Monte Cristo area in 1891. His analysis helped a group of investors convince Nelson Rockefeller to back a mining venture, which spurred the development of the Monte Cristo Mining District. Ultimately becoming a Trustee of the Monte Cristo Mining Company, Dickerman remained connected to the troubled mining region until his death in 1921.
mt dickerman hikingwithmybrother
The Mt. Dickerman Trail #710 begins at the Dickerman/Perry Creek trailhead just off the Mountain Loop Highway. From the onset, this trail is an uphill battle, quickly rising away from the highway in a long series of tight switchbacks. The route tunnels through thick, mixed forest of maple, hemlock, and fir. Streams occasionally cut across the path, and the trail often brushes near waterfalls and creeks just off-trail. With nearly 4000’ of elevation to climb up, these little side attractions make for great stopping points along the way.


mt dickerman hikingwithmybrotherAfter about three miles of switchbacks, the trail transitions from dark forest to open alpine meadows that hint at views to come. In the spring and summer months, this area is awash in wildflowers and mountain blueberry. After this brief respite, the trail gains the ridgeline and presses upward to the summit. Navigate this next set of switchbacks and before long you’ll find yourself on a precipice, looking hundreds of feet down into the Perry Creek Valley. Tread carefully and find a spot to take in the 360-degree views. To the north pick out Mt. Baker and White Chuck Mountain rising above nearby Mt. Forgotten. As you turn east Mt. Sloan looms large next to Glacier Peak, Mt. Pugh, and Bedal Peak. Mt. Rainer can be seen to the south behind Del Campo Peak, Vesper Peak, Big Four Mountain, and Morningstar Peak. Mt. Pilchuck and The Three Fingers are to the west.

mt dickerman hikingwithmybrotherWe highly recommend adding a trip to Mt. Dickerman to your hiking list. On a good day the views from the summit are stunning. Mountains stretch out endlessly in every direction, and it’s easy to see why hikers trudge their way to the top of Mt. Dickerman year-round. While trail is a little rocky, hundreds of booted feet keep the route free of blow downs and overgrowth. Only the steep elevation gain might keep this hike a little out of reach for some. Still, the trail is in good enough condition that most hikers should be able to make it given enough time.


To get there, take I-5 North to Exit 194. Follow Highway 2 for about two miles. Stay in the left lane and merge onto Lake Stevens Highway 204. Follow for two miles to Highway 9. Take the left onto Highway 9 toward Lake Stevens. In just under two miles, you’ll reach Highway 92 to Granite Falls. Take a right and follow for about nine miles to the Mountain Loop Highway. Take the MLH for a little over 27 miles to the Dickerman/Perry Trailhead on your left. – Nathan

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Mt. Dickerman

The 2012 Hiking Calendar

Jer's PhotoAlmost every weekend for years, we have been trekking down hiking trails across Washington and reporting our findings on hikingwithmybrother.com. Now we've put together a calendar that draws on our all-season hiking experience. The Hiking with my Brother 2012 Calendar suggests a different hike every Saturday in 2012, each chosen with the season in mind. The calendar also showcases some of our best photography from the suggested hikes to inspire you to get out on the trail. Of course all the hike details, including directions, history, and photos can be found on hikingwithmybrother.com. Check out the preview of the calendar below, and we hope you pick one up for you or a loved one this holiday season. -Jer



Support independent publishing: Buy this calendar on Lulu.

Boardman and Evan Lake Trail #704

Our Hiking Time: 1h 10m
Total Ascent: 400ft
Highest Point: 3100ft
Total Distance: 2 miles
Location: N 48° 1.5420, W 121° 41.2200
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Difficulty: Easy

Nathan's Photo Most weeks we head out the door with a couple of destinations in mind. We mostly want some alternatives just in case we find trail access washed out or closed, but sometimes weather conditions also play a role. This week heavy rain prodded us toward a very short but popular destination just off the Mountain Loop Highway: Boardman Lake. Despite being well-prepared and very use to hiking in the rain, we just didn’t feel up to facing the rain after such a short summer.

boardman lake hikingwithmybrotherThis short trail wastes no time diving into the trees. The forest here is mature, and only becomes older as you press deeper under the canopy. The junction of Evans Lake appears almost immediately, veering off to the right. The walk out to this tree-lined lake is not more than a few hundred yards, though the marshy shore is not nearly as welcoming as Boardman. Either way, the wide trail continues to wander through old-growth forest. In about a half-mile the trail begins to angle downward toward the water and a small gravel beach. From here, unofficial waytrails continue around the rocky shores of the lake, providing access to quiet viewpoints and secluded picnic spots. Hop across the logs that have collected at the lake’s outlet to find the five official campsites.

It almost goes without saying that a hike of less than a mile is a good option for the whole family. But it is worth noting that the trail is very friendly, with only a few roots and rocks to trip up little feet. And campsites are decent, and make for an excellent introduction to backpacking. However, perhaps because it is so easily accessible, the lake is popular in the summer months, and snagging a campsite may be challenging. Thankfully the lake is large enough that there is more than enough shoreline to go around. Find a quiet spot for a snack and enjoy a landscape that seems more wild and remote than you might expect.

boardman lake hikingwithmybrotherTo get there, take I-5 North to Exit 194. Follow Highway 2 for about two miles. Stay in the left lane and merge onto Lake Stevens Highway 204. Follow for two miles to Highway 9. Take the left onto Highway 9 toward Lake Stevens. In just under two miles reach Highway 92 to Granite Falls. Take a right and follow for about nine miles to the Mountain Loop Highway. Follow the MLH for nearly 16 miles to FR 4020, signed for multiple trailheads including the Boardman Lake Trail. Take a right and follow the gravel road about two-and-a-half miles to a junction. Head left and continue a little over two miles to the trailhead. - Nathan

Boardman Lake
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