Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Blanca Lake
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Central Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. The hike to Blanca Lake isn't long, but it's not easy. For the first 3 miles the trail ruthlessly climbs 2700 feet. Then on rough tread it drops 600 feet. Oy vey! But at least while you're grunting up from the deep valley you'll have the luxury of shade. The trail advances up a slope of luxuriant old-growth Douglas-fir and hemlock forests. Left out of the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act (the timber industry had its eyes on these trees), they are now permanently protected from the ax, having been included in the 2008 Wild Sky Wilderness designation. After 3 miles of incessant switchbacking and climbing, enter the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness upon reaching a small gap (elev. 4600 ft). Here, amid heather fields and open forest, find tiny Virgin Lake. Then start dropping 600 vertical feet, following rough-at-times tread 0.5 mile to the big cirque housing big Blanca Lake. While the snowfields and glaciers above can accurately be described as blanca, turquoise or aquamarine would be a more fitting description for this backcountry lake. Feel free to explore this rugged environment by following a rough path along the lake's western shoreline. Feel the icy breeze blowing down from the Columbia Glacier, one of the larger ice fields in these parts.
Driving Directions:
The North Fork Skykomish River Road from Index, the normal approach for this hike, sustained considerable flood damage in fall 2006. It will be years before this road is repaired. Until then, the trail can be accessed from Skykomish via Jack Pass. From Everett head east on US 2 for 49 miles to the small town of Skykomish. Continue east for 1 more mile, turning left onto Beckler River Road (Forest Road 65). The pavement ends at 6.9 miles. Continue north for another 5.8 miles, coming to a 5-way intersection (Jack Pass). Take the second left, the route signed as closed 3.2 miles ahead. Follow it downhill 2.4 miles. Just after crossing the North Fork Skykomish River is a junction and restricted access sign. Turn right onto FR 63 and drive 2.0 potholed miles, turning left into the trailhead parking area (elev. 1900 ft). Recent Trip Reports
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Blanca Lake
— Nov 12, 2011
— SJ
Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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The access road to the trail head is now covered with snow. We managed to drive up to the trailhead...
The access road to the trail head is now covered with snow. We managed to drive up to the trailhead with CR-V.
The trail received good amount of snow and without being prepared for that much of snow, we had to turn back when we were about 1 mile left from the lake. More than 8+ inches probably. Weather forecast calls out more snow this week, so it will be tough to drive up to the trailhead unless you have a really good 4x4 truck with high clearance. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Mudholes | Snow on trail | No water source
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Had to go back to 2002 for a previous report on a November trip to Blanca Lake. The initial weather...
Had to go back to 2002 for a previous report on a November trip to Blanca Lake. The initial weather forecast was the traditional cloudy-with-a-chance-of-rain spiel, but we were treated instead to a surprise, crisp, sunny day. We had no difficulty finding our way to the trailhead with the Jack Pass/Beckler River Road route. Along the way, we were treated to amazing fall views of the Beckler River and Glacier Peak. We arrived at the trailhead at 11:15 am, with only a few other cars already there. We met a few other hikers and doggies along the way.
The trail is in good condition. The trail starts out flat, but then gains elevation appreciably going from 1900 feet to 4600 feet over about 3 miles. I truly noticed that on the way down. On the way up, I was distracted by fall foliage and the winter wonderland of snow on the pine trees, occasionally cascading down from the forest canopy. I significantly delayed some of us trying to capture cascading snow on camera. There are occasional mud patches, and the snow level is probably around 3000 feet as of this trip report. The snow on the trail is not excessively thick (on average about 6 inches). We managed using boots and poles. The ascent featured incredible views of the surrounding mountains, including Glacier Peak. We then descended, first skirting ice-covered Virgin Lake. The descent to Blanca was a little slippery--use caution, as there are several places where a spill off to the side could be injurious. Blanca is still green, though ice was starting to creep out from the shoreline. The sky was almost clear, with unobstructed views of Columbia Peak to the left and Monte Cristo to the right. There was some slipping and sliding on the ascent up from the lake, due to snow on the trail (note to self: bring gloves next time!) Poles were helpful for the descent, as well, though a couple hikers did OK without them. Dress in layers, as this trail gets chilly, especially near the lake. Round-trip time was about 6 hours for 7 people of variable hiking speeds. I agonized over the primary picture to use for this report. Many have submitted beautiful pictures of the lake's green water with Columbia Peak, the Columbia Glacier, and Monte Cristo Peak in the background. Why another picture with the saddle in the middle? It was the best of my lake pictures: the composition (inadvertently) has nice symmetry, and the colors turned out well. Also, if you compare with previous pictures, you can tell that winter is arriving based on the amount of snow. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mudholes | Washouts | Water on trail | Bugs
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General: The small parking lot was full at 12:15 when we arrived, but there is easy parking on the side...
General: The small parking lot was full at 12:15 when we arrived, but there is easy parking on the side of the road which we did easily. The trail was not crowded at all. We passed people very infrequently (a little more frequently toward the end though). There were several people at the lake, but I wouldn't call it crowded.
Weather: the weather was partly cloudy and very warm on this Sunday afternoon. Around 6pm (just as we got back to the parking lot) it started to sprinkle however. Trail condition: overall the trail is in great condition. After you pass Virgin Lake it gets muddy in a few spots however and it is pretty slippery going down the steep trail so be careful at this point. The trail is very steep! Once you reach the 1st switchback, it gains quickly though steadily until you reach Virgin lake where it is pretty flat. Then it drops which is a nice little rest until you reach the lake. I wouldn't recommend bringing kids unless they are pretty experienced, etc. The lake: The lake really is green and beautiful! There are many places around there to camp, explore and hang out. It's well worth the steep hike. Virgin lake is not as pretty but it is a nice little area to rest at - we saw some frogs and a few water bugs there. Bugs: there were a TON of mosquitoes! Fortunately they didn't bother us while we were moving. Unfortunately I got tired and needed to stop for a few breaks where they made their attacks. Some nice hiker let me spray on some of his DEET which actually worked wonderfully. There were no horseflies. Water: There are a few water sources at the first quarter of the trail - a creek around one of the 1st switch backs, and then a stream that intersects with a few of the earlier switchbacks (you have to look for them however). After that there are not really any water sources until you reach Virgin lake, and the water there will probably be hard on your filter, but fortunately, it's all down hill to Blanca lake which has nice, clear water.
Blanca Lake
— Sep 23, 2011
— Will
Day hike
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Owner FOUND lost Border Collie dog! She spent the night in the woods. I came back the next morning &...
Owner FOUND lost Border Collie dog! She spent the night in the woods. I came back the next morning & found Cinnamon on the road below the trailhead parking lot. She was very happy to see me! Except for being hungry & thirsty, she is doing great.
Day hike
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Fantastic trip to Blanca Lake today. The weather was sunny and clear. There was a small amount of mud...
Fantastic trip to Blanca Lake today. The weather was sunny and clear. There was a small amount of mud to navigate on the trail and the hike is steep - but the views of Blanca Lake are well worth it. No snow on the trail (just a bit of snow off trail). Great hike if you're looking for a fairly long day hike.
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Blanca Lake. Photo by Opus.
2011
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