Spruce
Railroad Trail

This description is from the East Beach trailhead. There is another trailhead located at the west end of the trail. It is also more difficult to access and makes for a 6 mile round trip to Devils Punchbowl.

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The Spruce Railroad Trail, as the name implies, follows an old railroad bed along Lake Crescent. It is a popular destination due to its location and well maintained, generally level trail. If the entire hike is not possible for you, there are many wonderful views along the entire trail; you can turn back at any time and still have a rewarding experience.

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From the gravel parking area, head up the wide gravel trail. The first few paces are a bit steep, but it levels out to a gentle grade for about .5 mile without any elevation gain, then gently descends 75 feet in .4 miles to the lake. You’ll pass the first waterfall. Here the trail levels out and you arrive at the first of the old railroad tunnels and the access to Devils Punchbowl.

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The tunnel is gravel roadbed and not very long, but it does curve so that the middle of it is dark. I often pass through the tunnel without a light source, but it isn’t recommended. If you do not want to go into the tunnel and are up for a bit of a more difficult hike to Devils Punchbowl, you can go left up the footpath.

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The footpath is about .10 mile and is a bit steep and narrow with many rocks, ruts, and roots in the way. The first 10 paces are steep then it climbs more gently to another steep section with many ruts and loose tread. It then shortly and steeply descends to the picturesque footbridge over Devils Punchbowl. It may be crowded here, and there isn’t much room, so you may have to find a place to stand or sit until you can cross. The view is pretty amazing, but it is only one destination on a hike that offers many viewpoints.

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From the bridge, the path ascends briefly to a rock outcropping over the lake; you have to step up and over and down the rocks, but it is pretty sure footing. Then it is a very short gentle walk to connect with the main trail on the other side of the tunnel.

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If you go through the tunnel and want an easier route to the Punchbowl, you can approach from this way and only have to go over the rock outcropping. But you may be traveling upstream of the hikers coming down.

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Shortly after the tunnel the wide gravel trail narrows considerably to a compact dirt trail. In some places it can be a little muddy or difficult to pass other hikers without stepping off the trail. But it is mostly level and offers cool shade and less busy places to sit and look at the lake.

 

At mile 1.5 (about a half mile past the tunnel) you will come to another waterfall and a small stream crossing. The stream is lined with small logs and there are always rocks or sticks laid across; at the deepest the water should only come to the top of your soles, and it is narrow enough to cross in one step. I like to take a moment beneath the Western Redcedar and listen to the falls first, though. It also makes a good turn around point, as from here there are more obstacles on the trail.

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The trail continues another 1.5 miles. It begins to follow the cliffs that line this section of the lake and climbs 75 feet in .10 mile and then descends 50 feet in .10 mile. You will cross an area of loose rock along a cliff and then come to a larger rockfall. This area is passable, but you will need to be careful and have some sure footing (I believe this area has now been cleared). It is a bit steep at first, creating more of a series of steps than a trail. The trail then closely and narrowly skirts the cliff with more rocks on the path. You will then come to a cave/tunnel on the right that has fallen in on one side. It is a neat area to explore if you can. This whole section is very interesting to the geologically minded hiker with some great views of the lake.

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The trail is now re-opened, but as of July 2019 I haven’t hiked the entire length.

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