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Lake Cushman
Lake Cushman and Hood Canal, as viewed from the summit of Mt. Ellinor
Lake Cushman Lake Cushman
Location	Mason County, Washington, United States
Coordinates	47°28′48″N 123°15′0″W
Lake type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Skokomish River
Primary outflows	Skokomish River
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	8.64 mi (13.90 km)
Max. width	1.10 mi (1.77 km)
Surface area	4,014.6 acres (16.247 km2)
Surface elevation	739 ft (225 m)
Settlements	Lake Cushman
References

Lake Cushman is a 4,014.6-acre (16.247 km²) lake and reservoir on the north fork of the Skokomish River in Mason County, Washington. The lake originally was a long narrow broadening of the Skokomish River formed in a glacial trough and dammed by a terminal moraine from the last ice age, during the Vashon stage.

The lake was expanded after construction of the Cushman Dam No. 1. The lake is maintained by this dam and provides electrical power to the Tacoma Power system.

As a popular retreat for hiking, fishing, boating and kayaking, Lake Cushman's shoreline is dotted with resorts and rental cabins. The lake is notable for its beautiful crystal clear blue water and the huge round rocks surrounding it, as well as thick stands of hemlock, fir and cedar trees.

Lake Cushman was named in honor of Orrington Cushman, who served as interpreter for Governor Isaac Stevens during the Treaty of Point Elliott negotiations with Puget Sound Natives in 1854.

Panoramic image of Lake Cushman, 5000 feet below, as viewed from the summit of Mount Ellinor on a summer afternoon.

Geography

Lake Cushman sits at 739 ft above sea level and its max depth reaches up to 115 ft. It is estimated to be around 10 miles in length. The northern part of the lake (FS-24) is where the staircase entrance to Olympic National Park is located. The closest city is Hoodsport, WA which is about 5 miles away from the lake. Surrounding the lake are Mount Ellinor, Mount Washington, Cub Peak, Mount Gladys, and Mount Rose. During the winter months the mountains are covered in a blanket of snow and oftentimes there are road closures around the lake due to unsafe road conditions. Its rocky shores are surrounded with large boulders that are a common spot for cliff jumping. In an average winter the lake water level drops 30 ft. When the water recedes, it exposes tree stumps and more rocky beachfront. The water level will begin to rise again as it recollects through melted snow and rainfall each year.

History

The Antler's Hotel on Lake Cushman

In 1895 the Antler's hotel was built on Lake Cushman, however, in 1926 it was destroyed because the City of Tacoma constructed a dam on the lake and caused all pre-existing buildings to flood. The hotel was created after a group of wealthy East Coast men visited the lake and wanted to partake in its hunting and fishing. Russel Homan bought property on the lake and built his own cabin in 1883. Homan and his friend Stanley Hopper went into business together and built the two story hotel that spanned near the half-mile lakefront on Homan's property. After the property was flooded, many have attempted to search for the remains of the hotel under the lake.

Recreation

Hiking

Lake Cushman offers access to multiple hiking trails near its rocky shore. From May through October hikers have access to the south-facing Mount Rose trail that has views of the lake starting at the site of a recent forest fire that occurred in 2006. Because of its positioning the trail is open to early spring and late fall access as opposed to other peaks, such as Mount Ellinor, that will still have a blanket of snow. The hike is 6.4 miles round trip and has an elevation gain of 3,500 ft. Additional trailhead access includes:

• Big Creek Campground Trail #827
• Big Creek Trailhead
• Big Creek Upper Loop #827.1
• Copper Creek Trail #876
• Copper Creep Trailhead
• Dry Creek East Trailhead
• Dry Creek Trail #872
• Jefferson Pass Trailhead
• Mt. Ellinor Connector Trail #827.2
• Mt. Ellinor Lower Trailhead
• Mt. Ellinor Trail #812
• Mt. Ellinor Upper Trailhead

Fishing

Fishing is available at anytime due to the year round open season. The lake is consistently stocked with Kokanee salmon and Cutthroat trout; these species of fish are best caught from a boat. Skokomish Park is fitted with a boat ramp with three paved ramps that allows access to the lake for a small day-use fee. Boat rentals are also available at the park if needed, however fishing is accessible from the shores of the lake as well.

Swimming And Water Activities

Swimming, boating, kayaking and cliff jumping are also among the activities to do while visiting. The crystal clear blue waters can be accessed along the rocky shore or through Skokomish Park and Lake Cushman Resort. One of the most well known attractions at the lake is “The Big Rock” or sometimes referred to as “Party Rock” which offers a cliff jumping spot that reaches up to 17ft. Visitors will be able to find both marked and unmarked swimming areas throughout the lake.

Lodging

Right on the waters of Lake Cushman is Skokomish Park campground. The park was previously named Camp Cushman. The campground is a part of Lake Cushman state park that spans over 500 acres. The facilities include both tent and RV campsites, group campsites and picnic areas. Further away from the lake are Big Creek Campground and Staircase Campground. Staircase is located northwest from Hoodsport, 8.1 miles by car from Lake Cushman or 1 mile by walking trail. It is open all year, however, camping in the winter can be primitive. While still close to the lake, it is a stepping stone to other areas in Olympic National Park. Big Creek Campground is located 9 miles west of Hoodsport. It also offers both tent and RV parking. The campground opens mid-May and goes through the summer. It is situated 8 miles from the lake and has a connector trail to the Mount Ellinor trailhead.The Lake Cushman Resort was permanently closed due to an expiration of the lease. However, visitors have the option of renting privately owned cabins and vacation rental homes. There are many cabins sprinkled around the lake that offer easy access to the water.

Notable Incidents

In May of 2016 a 22-year-old man from Bellevue, Washington was pulled out of Lake Cushman after drowning. The man was in a raft, but jumped out to try and swim to his daughter on a nearby dock. It was reported that he went under the water after his girlfriend never saw him get to the dock. A maintenance worker of the lake pulled the man out of the water and performed CPR on him, however the victim still died.

Over Memorial day weekend in 2017, violence broke out at the lake's "Party Rock." What started as a verbal altercation between two men quickly escalated into physical violence. One man was hit in the head with a hammer and another group of people used their car to run over someone and then flee the scene. Many of the lake's workers have grown tired of the constant drinking and altercations in this area of the lake resulting in increased patrols. The area where the rock is located has no parking so visitors park directly on the side of the road, often slowing down traffic.

During the coronavirus pandemic in August of 2020 the U.S. Forest Service closed all roads for public access due to concerns of overcrowding. The heavy traffic of people caused 6 mile long traffic jams on the two lane dirt road with no way of turning around or for emergency vehicles to pass. The lake was littered with excessive trash and growing concerns about the transmission of coronavirus. In the best interest of the understaffed Forest Service, roads were closed in hopes of the public finding less crowded areas to enjoy.

Lake Cushman with stumps showing changing water levels

External links

• Lake Levels and River Flows, Cushman Project Settlement, Tacoma Power
• Photograph of Lake Cushman circa 1899 from the Lick Observatory Records Digital Archive, UC Santa Cruz Library's Digital Collections