Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Blue LakeAn uninspiring name for a pretty tarn tucked beneath the impressive Early Winters Spires. Short and sweet, this trail will leave you sitting by Blue's shimmering waters in no time. From a shoreline resting post marvel at the surrounding soaring walls of granite. Listen for clambering climbers scaling them. Despite the occasional clanking of carabiners, Blue Lake is a peaceful place above the busy state highway.
Driving Directions:
From Marblemount follow the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) east for 51 miles to Rainy Pass. Continue east for 3 more miles to the trailhead located on your right, between mileposts 161 and 162. Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
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It was pouring rain as a group of WTA board and staff met at the Blue Lake trailhead on our way to o...
It was pouring rain as a group of WTA board and staff met at the Blue Lake trailhead on our way to our annual board retreat in Mazama. Fortunately, the hike is short (4.5 miles r.t.) and the forest canopy protected us along the way and we didn't get too soaking wet.
As one of the easiest hikes in the North Cascades to see larches, I've long wanted to visit in the fall. We were a little late, however, as the larches have lost most of their needles, leaving a bright yellow carpet on the trail. The clouds were low, so we couldn't see the top of the surrounding mountains, but the lake was as blue and pretty as I had imagined. And there is a perfect lunch rock to enjoy it in better conditions. We encountered patchy snow on the hike, and a weather system over the weekend brought a couple of fresh inches to the trail and the trees. It no doubt looks very different already. Day hike
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there was remnants of snow at wahington pass and moreso at the trailhead, luckily we came prepared f...
there was remnants of snow at wahington pass and moreso at the trailhead, luckily we came prepared for cool weather. the trail was easy to follow as a few had gone before us. the snow on the trail was a fresh dry powder as it was chilly despite the sunshine. the ascent thru snow covered larch forests and colored shrubs was delightful. by the time we made it to the lake there was at least 4 inches of snow on the ground. even more so as i hiked a short ways above the lake to our favorite lunch rock with views of the lake and the liberty bell group. the camp robbers were happy to see us as well. there were a few larch trees in their glorious golden hue, but the needles were dropping. surely winter is not far away now.
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A very pleasant, easy hike. Many views along the way....
A very pleasant, easy hike. Many views along the way.
Day hike
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A cool crisp morning, fall was in the air, frost on the trail and gold everywhere. An easy hike, we ...
A cool crisp morning, fall was in the air, frost on the trail and gold everywhere. An easy hike, we spent a lot of time soaking in the scenery and taking pictures, so it took us a while to get to the lake. The grade is not too steep, there are a few switchbacks at the end. Hike all the way to scree field counterclockwise around the lake. There are some nice views back and great reflections in the water. There is also a pretty little tarn to the north of the trail. This was a great way to end a two week road trip filled with fall color. By the way, if you lost a black dog leash, we found it and left it at the trailhead in case you came back for it.
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For a short North Cascades fall spectacular, Blue Lake is a sweetie. We may have caught the tail en...
For a short North Cascades fall spectacular, Blue Lake is a sweetie. We may have caught the tail end of indian summer with our October 6 day hike. Spectacular yellow larches dominate most of the hike, with the best shows being on the hillside to your left just before you enter the Blue Lake basin (which you can hike up into and is lovely in its own right.) Spot climbers on Liberty Bell and the adjacent walls and peaks as you go.
We hiked in to Blue Lake, then followed the ridge to the north upwards to peek down into views of the lake on our right, and the fabulous larch fields and Liberty Bell to our left. We originally planned to do this hike as a one-night overnighter, but signs at the trailhead proclaimed no camping. Signs at the lake, however, said no camping within 1/4 mile of Blue Lake, so I think we could have stayed in the area (though finding a camp spot on the steep hillsides might have been a challenge. We saw lots of camp spots, but I doubt any of them met the 1/4 mile criteria. Instead, we spent the night in the VW van at the trailhead, and did the Heather Pass-Maple Pass trail the next day (which turned out to be the better hike of the two anyhow, so we weren't too disappointed.) Blue Lake is definitely on the "Fall Color Hikes" list for good reason. It's lovely this time of year. |
 Blue Lake. Photo by Inge Johnsson.
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