7.20 miles / 11.60 km (6.00 miles / 9.70 km to the lake, with the option of hiking 0.60 additional miles / 1.00 km to the other end of the lake and the intersection with the High Lakes Trail)
This page profiles the trail to Snow Lake in King County, Washington. The Enchantments' side-by-side "Snow Lakes" are located in Chelan County, Washington, farther north in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, while Mt. Rainier National Park's "Snow Lake" is located south in Lewis County, Washington.
Snow Lake’s sapphire waters pool in a deeply set mountaintop basin. Snow Lake Trail, Washington.
Aptly named, Snow Lake remains frozen and snow-bound well into summer each year — often as late as July. Nevertheless, its picturesque setting and relative ease of access render it the most popular hiking destination in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness during its brief summer. The rocky trail climbs moderately and then steeply up the ridge that forms the rim of the lake’s massive mountaintop basin before descending nearly as sharply to the lakeshore. Along the way, the trail alternates between evergreen forest and the talus slopes that are the Alpental Valley’s many winter avalanche chutes — seventeen in all. Hikers and snowshoers are encouraged to avoid this trail when snow is present; during autumn, winter, and spring, be sure to check trip reports and avalanche forecasts to ensure that current conditions are safe. Although one should expect to share the trail with others, weekday afternoons and moody, overcast days can provide opportunity to enjoy the lake in solitude.
At approximately 1.75 miles/2.80 km from the trailhead, the Source Lake Loop branches left from the main trail and provides a view of tiny Source Lake, the inconspicuous headwater of the South Fork Snoqualmie River. For most, the detour is but a brief respite from the final ascent to Snow Lake; however, the loop trail actually continues beyond Source Lake, providing not only an increasingly sweeping view of the Alpental Valley below but also an alternate route to the lip of Snow Lake’s basin, where it rejoins the main trail. Just beyond Source Lake, the loop trail requires a bit of scrambling where it crosses the steep slope of shifting scree that is one of the valley’s largest winter avalanche chutes, which discourages most hikers from continuing and results in a surprising bit of backcountry quietude away from the throngs teeming the main trail a short distance away. Balance, sturdy ankles, and, perhaps, trekking poles will help to traverse the slope and attain the ridge above, along with keen eyes for spotting the small cairns that mark the way.
For those wishing to climb deeper into the wilderness, the main trail joins the rugged High Lakes Trail on the far side of Snow Lake, which continues on to Gem Lake and the Wildcat lakes.
The trail begins at the foot of Guye Peak, the knob-like mountain shown here in the center midground, and climbs up Alpental Valley to its headwall between Chair Peak and Snoqualmie Mountain before descending to Snow Lake on the other side. The best valley views can be found along the trail’s Source Lake Loop, an alternate route up the ridge to the rim of the lake basin. Source Lake Loop, Snow Lake Trail, Washington.The trail becomes increasingly stony as it climbs. Hikers may find supportive footwear and trekking poles useful. The many boulderfields strewn down the mountainside along the trail are the valley’s wintertime avalanche chutes. From their treeless swaths, the surrounding peaks become increasingly visible, dominated by Bryant Peak (left) and Chair Peak (right) at the valley’s far end. Snow Lake lies below the far side of Chair Peak. Snow Lake Trail, Washington.The Source Lake Loop branches from the Snow Lake Trail approximately 1.75 miles/2.80 km from the trailhead and arcs up the ridge above the lake, rejoining the main trail on the rim of the lake basin approximately 2.40 miles/3.90 km from the trailhead. The loop trail affords a closer view of the row of peaks lining Alpental Valley; here, from left to right, Denny Mountain (the two leftmost peaks), The Tooth, Hemlock Peak, and Bryant Peak. Source Lake Loop, Snow Lake Trail, Washington.The Source Lake Loop takes its name from the rather inconspicuous lake it passes a short distance from its lower junction with the main trail. However, as its name implies, the pond-like lake is the headwater of the South Fork Snoqualmie River. In spite of signage and trail descriptions referencing the “Source Lake Overlook,” there is no specific “overlook,” other than a section of trail from which the lake is in more or less direct view below. Source Lake Loop, Snow Lake Trail, Washington.As the loop trail passes Source Lake, it switchbacks up a steep talus slope and around several small waterfalls where it can be difficult to discern. Look for cairns built by other hikers to guide the way. Source Lake Loop, Snow Lake Trail, Washington.Upon reaching the saddle between Chair Peak and Snoqualmie Mountain, the loop trail levels as it ambles through patchy forest along the ridge. Chair Peak towers high in the western view. Source Lake Loop, Snow Lake Trail, Washington.Along the saddle, keep an eye out for a short boot path up to a ledge with a bird’s-eye view of Snow Lake far below. Source Lake Loop, Snow Lake Trail, Washington.The Source Lake Loop rejoins the main trail just below another rocky outcrop that provides the main trail’s first view of Snow Lake. From the overlook, the trail zigzags 0.50 miles/0.80 km down to the lake and continues along its far shore to the foot of Wright Mountain. Garfield Mount East, Treen Peak, Floating Rock, and Galleon Mountain top the horizon beyond. Snow Lake Trail, Washington.As the trail approaches the water’s edge, it passes the stone ruins of what was once a lakeside cabin. Snow Lake Trail, Washington.Chair Peak and its many-pointed neighbor, Mount Roosevelt, form Snow Lake’s rugged backdrop. Snow Lake Trail, Washington.During the brief mountain summer, wildflowers accent the trailside and lakeshore, including mountain bog gentians (Gentiana calycosa) (upper left row, left), broadleaf arnicas (Arnica latifolia) (upper left row, center), scarlet paintbrushes (Castilleja miniata) (upper left row, right), common beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) (center), subalpine fleabane (Erigeron glacialis) (upper right row, left), partridgefoots (Luetkea pectinata) (upper right row, center), common harebells (Campanula rotundifolia) (upper right row, right), western Canada goldenrod (Solidago lepida) (lower left corner), subalpine spiraea (Spiraea splendens) (center left), fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium syn. Chamerion angustifolium) (lower left center), high mountain cinquefoils (Potentilla flabellifolia) (center right), western pearly everlastings (Anaphalis margaritacea) (center right edge), and western columbines (Aquilegia formosa) (lower right corner). Snow Lake Trail, Washington.The trail continues around the lake, where depth highlights its jewel-like hues and Mount Roosevelt reflects upon its glassy surface. In spite of its proximity to Source Lake and the South Fork Snoqualmie River, Snow Lake drains in the opposite direction through a log-jammed slot into the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River far below its northern rim. Just before the lake’s outlet, the Snow Lake Trail ends at a junction with the Rock Creek Trail and the High Lakes Trail to Gem and Wildcat lakes. Snow Lake Trail, Washington.
