I've been told many times to hike Packwood Lake and would not be disappointed when you get to the lake. My friends were right. It was one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.

Getting to the starting point of the trail is straightforward, and there's plenty of parking. Also, there's a pay station near the trailhead. The cost is $5 for the day, and there is a bathroom on site. I went on a Friday morning (10am) and it wasn't packed. When I finished the hike around 2 p.m., the parking lot got a little more crowded.

The hike in total is about 9 miles round trip. I will advise that the bugs (mosquitoes) are awful! I highly suggest bringing bug spray and wearing long, comfortable clothing. The trail itself is very well maintained. Some parts of the trail are flat, and other times, there are steep inclines and declines.

Overall, this was worth the mosquitoes being annoying. This was a well worth hike to accomplish. If you have time while in Packwood, stop by, get your boots on, and take a hike!