This includes most trails accessed from I-90 and on Highway 2 west of Stevens Pass. It was like giant stairs with three to four foot risers every thirty to forty feet. Alpine Lakes Wilderness. There are a couple nice spots around Squaw Lake, about 2.5 miles in, to stop and have a snack. The lakes are full of large trout, and the views of the ruggedness of the Alpine Lakes area is worth the effort it takes to hike into this wild part of Washington. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a large wilderness area spanning the Central Cascades of Washington state in the United States.The wilderness is located in parts of Wenatchee National Forest and Snoqualmie National Forest, and is approximately bounded by Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Pass to the south and U.S. Route 2 and Stevens Pass to the north. It is a stunning blue lake, set high in a basin beneath rocky peaks, showcasing striking Mount Stuart as its backdrop. The trailhead might be busy, but heading to Island and Rainbow Lakes may afford you more solitude than you'd expect on the crowded I-90 corridor. You will probably find picas in great numbers and a marmot or two in the rocks. Hike south on the Pacific Crest Trail from Stevens Pass to the Icicle Creek Trail visiting stunning alpine lakes beneath the rocky spires of Bulls Tooth. Hike by WTA Correspondents: Kelsie Donleycott. An interesting side trip on a week in the Alpine Lakes. WTA offers information about hiking the Alpine Lakes, such as trail length and elevation gains, along with a travel article accompanying each featured hike. Bagley Lakes can be done in a loop, though families with very small children might opt to go out and back. I reserve no judgment here on the permissibility of this 'bolted' route within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in which the Garfield Mountain massif resides. Two sparkling alpine lakes, an abundance of wildflowers, an impressive mountainous backdrop and a year-round snowfield make this a hike that will please everybody. This 8.5-mile out and back includes a side trip to Source Lake. The trail then drops to Lake Dorothy and continues on to a trailhead along the Miller River and the Skykomish side of the Wilderness. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness got its name from the 700+ mountain lakes found amongst the majestic rocky peaks and densely forested hillsides of the central Cascades. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Cle Elum Ranger District 803 W. 2nd Street Cle Elum, WA 98922 (509) 852-1100. Travel Articles . From Seattle drive east on I-90 to East Cle Elum, exit 85. This trail passes by six pristine, alpine lakes, like jewels on a necklace. 3. Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA: Big Heart Lake . In order to access this trail you must first hike in along one or more other trails. To approach from the North, take the Pacific Crest Trail heading south from Steven’s Pass to the Icicle Creek Trail to the start of the Chain Lakes Trail (8.2 miles). Resources. The Chain Lakes Trail is embedded within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The highest peak, Dragontail Peak, stretches 8,840 feet (2,694 m) high. Went east from lake, around the end of a north ridge that is just west of small lake that is NW of mountain. A worthy objective unto itself, it is largely forgotten. The area is accessed by 47 trailheads and 615 miles of trails. Daniel is a complex glaciated massif with five main summits along its east-west trending spine. WTA Pro Tip 2: Camping in the Enchantments, including the entire area from the top of the switchbacks above the Snow Lakes trailhead all the way to the Stuart Lake trailhead, is by permit only from May 15th-October 31st. A 15 mile out and back into Big Heart Lake. Northwest Forest Pass required at Trailhead Alpine Lakes Wilderness Permit required for day use. After running into the Trail Creek trail, keep right heading towards Cathedral Rock and Squaw Lake. Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA: Snow Lake and Source Lake Overlook. There's no question why Ingalls Lake is one of the most popular destinations in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. A limited number of permits are available same day at the ranger station in Leavenworth. The popular Alpine Lakes Wilderness encompasses approximately 394,000 acres in the Central Cascades Region within Washington state. It is situated in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the Cascade crest, it's waters draining to the Cle Elum River on the east side and the Skykomish River to the west. You may even come upon a few deer or elk grazing in the giant meadows. Start at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead and start to head up the long switchbacks. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Permit Application Application is for the Enchantment Lakes, Stuart, Colchuck, Snow, Eightmile Lakes areas. Continuing on past Snoqualmie Lake the trail climbs to Deer and Bear Lakes even deeper in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a large wilderness area in the North Cascades mountain range, located in northern Washington state, the Northwestern United States. Along the way, you'll pass Trout Lake, Copper Lake, Little Heart Lake, and then Big Heart. A vault toilet available at trailhead. There are parking lots on the east and west sides of the pass. Leashes are also required on several popular trails in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The North Peak (5101F, 301P) is 0.5 miles away. Dogs also must always be on leash on many trails in the popular Alpine Lakes Wilderness. At an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,372 m), it is home to over 700 alpine lakes and ponds surrounded by the vast peaks of Cashmere Crags, which rate among the best rock-climbing sites in the western United States. A Hike to Lake Talapus Travel article with pictures by Go Northwest! Camped near the outlet of Chetwoot Lake. Drive SR-2 to Stevens Pass (4,000 ft). The official Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area was created by Congress in 1976 via the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Act as an effort to protect the region in its natural form. getting there. A good scramble. Spade Lake Trail is a 28.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Roslyn, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The last peak and perhaps the most astonishing is just west of the Main Peak. The Sol Duc Valley in Olympic National Park has it all—towering trees, cascading waterways, alpine lakes, snowcapped peaks and wildlife. What's more, this trail gets a fraction of the foot traffic that the trails at Artist Point get in late summer. Situated right at treeline, the views from Tanks Lakes showcase several nearby peaks including Bear’s Breast, Iron Cap, and Summit Chief. Nestled in a rocky basin high on Mount Daniel, Spade Lake is one of the least visited lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness due to it's distance from the nearest trailhead. Went past the north edge of lake and up the north side of mountain. The Enchantments is a region within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area of Washington state’s Cascade Mountain Range. This pristine set of high alpine tarns is tucked deep in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, roughly halfway between I-90 and hwy 2 and far from the hiking crowds. Cross over the freeway overpass and turn right (northbound) on State Route 970. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness are protected within the Wenatchee National Forest or Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.A list of notable lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is shown, below. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Photos; Directions; Print/PDF Map; Share; More ; Marmot Lake and Jade Lake is a 20.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Roslyn, Washington that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The remote alpine lakes offer solitude and great places to camp near the in close proximity to the lake. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is approximately 394,000 acres. Marvel at old-growth trees amid a lush rain forest landscape while visiting one of Olympic National Park’s most beloved attractions: Sol Duc Falls. Even so, it is worth the effort of hiking on some stretches of rough, steep trail to experience the serenity and see the rich turquoise water of this lonely lake. The East Peak (5480+F, 520P) is 0.4 miles away. Since it is 13 miles from the trailhead, the on the trail josephine lake 10 miles round trip, 2,150 feet of elevation gain, 5,100 ft high point. If you're unsure whether or not your dog should be on-leash, your best bet is to hike with him or her leashed. It's a touch longer than many day hikers want to tackle, and even most of the campers will drop off past Ollalie, or Pratt Lake junctions, leaving you (and a few hardy others) to discover these alpine jewels. Take this hike to stunning Snow Lake, one of the most popular and easily accessible lakes within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Each can be a destination in itself or a site for pictures before moving on. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Permits are awarded by the Forest Service through a lottery that opens in February. Hike by WTA Correspondents: Kim Hull. A Region within Washington state end of a north ridge that alpine lakes wta of... 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