Trail Overview
Line (FS 4830065) is a short but rugged, narrow rocky spur off the Hager Lake to Packwood Lake Trail, and it is not one for the faint of heart. It begins gently enough, running along Art Lake with a very nice lakeside dispersed camp, complete with a fire ring and a walk-up to the water, and another flat dispersed site just past it. Beyond the lake, the character changes fast: a rocky incline sets in and, by about 0.4 miles, the road becomes very rough and noticeably steeper, with rocks the whole way up that demand 4x4, high clearance, and some off-road experience. It tops out around 0.6 miles at a circular turnaround, where a short climb leads to a flat dirt hilltop with a fire ring and astounding views in every direction. On a clear day, the summit delivers supreme views of Mount Rainier, the Cowlitz River, Packwood Lake, and Old Snowy along Knifes Edge, a genuinely spectacular payoff for a tough little climb.
Difficulty
The lakeside start is easy, but past Art Lake the spur turns into a rough, steep, rock-strewn climb, with loose rock the whole way up that requires high clearance, 4x4, and some off-road experience to manage safely. The short distance keeps it from rating higher, but the sustained rocky grade puts it well beyond the reach of stock SUVs and low-clearance vehicles.
