Best Lake Hikes
Lake Serene — Placid lake tucked beneath the terrifying towers of Mount Index
Quick Facts: Location: US 2 near Index Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 7.2 miles Elevation gain: 2020 feet Green Trails Maps: Index WA- No. 142 Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books) Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required Access:…
Read MoreGoat Lake─A family friendly hike for old goats and kids alike!
Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 10.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet Green trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway-No. 111SX Access: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 31 miles to Barlow Pass and end of pavement. Continue for 3.5 miles turning right onto FR…
Read MoreLake Janus — quiet alternative to nearby Lake Valhalla
Quick Facts: Location: Pacific Crest Trail near Stevens Pass Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 6.5 miles Elevation gain: 1,550 feet Green Trails Map: Benchmark MT- No. 144 Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest Notes: Self-issued free wilderness permit available at trailhead. Wilderness regulations apply. No fires allowed near lake. Practice…
Read MoreFryingpan Lake
Onto the Trail and into a lovely lake setting Quick Facts: Location: William O. Douglas Wilderness Land Agency: National Forest Service Distance: 11.9 miles Elevation Gain: 2000 feet Contact: Naches Ranger District Gifford Pinchot National Forest Green Trails Map: Green Trails, White Pass, No. 303S Notes: Northwest Forest or Interagency Pass required; Overnight Permits required;…
Read MorePeek-a-boo Lake — peaceful little lake and peek-a-boo mountain views
Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 5.0 miles Elevation gain: 1600 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111 SX Contact: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington Ranger District Notes: Access road is rough and brushy in spots. High clearance necessary. Access: From Darrington follow the Mountain Loop…
Read MoreBlue Lake and Johnson Mountain–divine ridge walking
Quick Facts: Location: Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Roundtrip: 28.3 miles Elevation Gain: 6,725 feet Green Trails Maps: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Recommended Guidebook: Backpacking Washington (Romano; Mountaineers Books) Access: From Darrington, head south on the Mountain Loop Highway 16.0 miles turning left onto FR 49. Follow for 6.4 miles bearing…
Read MoreColdwater Lake– Saunter through a healing landscape exploding with wildflowers!
Quick Facts: Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Land Agency: US Forest Service Roundtrip: 9.0 miles Elevation Gain: 550 feet Contact: Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument Green Trails Map: Green Trails Mount St Helens 332S Notes: Northwest Forest Pass (or interagency pass) required; No dogs; Trail open to bikes: Off trail travel prohibited Access: From Castle Rock…
Read MoreSunrise Lake─Golden larches brighten the shores of this alpine lake
Quick Facts: Location: North Cascades – Sawtooth Ridge Land Agency: U.S. Forest Service Roundtrip: 13.0 miles Elevation Gain: 3,730 feet Green Trails Map: Prince Creek, WA- No. 115 Recommended Resource: Day Hiking North Cascades (Romano; Mountaineers Books) Access: From Twisp drive SR 20 east for 2.0 miles. Continue south on SR 153 for 12.0 miles turning right…
Read MoreShoe Lake — A great hike good for your soul!
Quick Facts: Location: Goat Rocks Wilderness Land Agency: National Forest Service Roundtrip: 15.7 miles Elevation Gain: 2,625 feet Contact: Naches Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Green Trails Map: Goat Rocks William O Douglas Wilderness No. 303S Notes: Northwest Trail Pass or interagency pass required; Wilderness permit required, free, self-issued at trailhead; wilderness rules apply Access: From Packwood, follow…
Read MoreLake West and Lake Helen – Seldom visited lakes within the shadows of Mount Rainier
Quick Facts: Location: Glacier View Wilderness Land Agency: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Roundtrip: 8.4 miles Elevation gain: 1,600 feet Green Trails Map: Mount Rainier West, WA no. 269 Contact: Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle), Gifford Pinchot National Forest Notes: FR 59 is rough in spots but is passable for passenger cars. Wilderness regulations apply. Free…
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