Spruce Railroad Trail

Spruce Railroad is a paved, mostly gentle point-to-point walk along Lake Crescent's north shore, following an old rail grade from East Beach to Camp David Jr. Road. The official listed distance is 4 miles one way; another trail guide lists 5, and the mapped line measures about 4.4. Treat the mileage as approximate and plan a shuttle or turnaround before you start.

Allow about two hours to walk one way, plus time for beach stops and the tunnels. The old grade is mostly paved and accessible, with wooded stretches, occasional lake access and views from above the water. Elevation-gain estimates vary from 100 to 250 feet. Returning to your starting point on foot makes this roughly an 8-mile walk using the 4-mile estimate.

Two historic railroad tunnels break up the lakeshore route. The curved tunnel gets dark in the middle, so a small light helps. The Devil's Punchbowl is reached by a separate dirt spur that leaves the paved path before a tunnel and reconnects beyond it; the narrow, steep approach has roots and rocks. That spur is not included in the mapped route.

Bicycles are permitted, and dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Expect to share the paved path, especially near the Punchbowl. Keep to the main paved line if you need the smoother, more accessible footing.

The line was first intended to move Sitka spruce for World War I aircraft production, then carried timber for commercial logging for nearly four decades. The rail bed later became a trail, leaving a remarkably level path through forest and along the lake.

Glaciers carved the steep basin, which reaches about 624 feet deep. The water can be clear enough to see roughly 60 feet down, helping create the lake's blue-green color. Beardslee and Crescenti trout are found only in Lake Crescent.

The route alternates between lake-level glimpses and stretches above the shore, with views toward Barnes Point and Mount Storm King farther west. The lake's shape also has a local geologic story: evidence suggests landslides divided a larger lake into Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland.

The eastern access is reached from East Beach Road via Boundary Creek Road; the western access is on Camp David Jr. Road. Pit toilets are reported at both trailheads. This is a point-to-point route, so arrange a ride between ends or walk back; food and lodging at Lake Crescent are separate stops, not trail facilities.