Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Eightmile 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 way starts off with a steady climb up open slopes punctuated with ponderosa pine. Roaring Eightmile Creek nearby provides a deafening score, drowning out birdsong and insect buzz. Heading into the heart of a massive burn zone from a 1990s forest fire, the trail and its environs warms up rapidly once the sun casts its rays. Pioneering fireweed growing head high flourishes along the trail. After crossing a side creek, intersect an old logging road, once used as the trail's approach. At 0.75 mile cross tumbling Pioneer Creek on a steady foot log (elev. 3800 ft). Shortly afterward enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, following Eightmile Creek up the broad valley. Most of the way, the going is fairly easy. At 2.8 miles reach a junction with the trail to Lake Caroline at the mud hole of a pond, Little Eightmile Lake (elev. 4450 ft). Continue straight, crossing a massive rock slide peeping with pikas. Giant sandstone boulders litter the way, and hiking tykes will probably enjoy flitting about them. Brush up against maddening Eightmile Creek, making a short, steep ascent to its source, Eightmile Lake. Like many of the lakes in the Leavenworth area, this one sports an irrigation dam and a "washtub ring" from its fluctuating levels. Scout the shoreline for good sunning and swimming spots. A trail continues along the north shore for nearly a mile to the lake's inlet creek. Check it out, or just settle down on a nearby ledge and gaze out at a jagged ridgeline reflected in crystal waters.
Driving Directions:
From milepost 99 on US 2, on the western edge of Leavenworth, follow the paved Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 76) for 8.4 miles, turning left onto Eightmile Road (FR 7601). Continue on this washboarded dirt road for 3.1 miles to the trailhead. Park opposite the trailhead, on the left side of the road (elev. 3300 ft). Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
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Eightmile Lake
— Dec 31, 2011
— Weluv2hike.
Snowshoe/XC Ski
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Went up to the th, to the start of the eightmile lake hike, 6 mile rt, following the rd. stopped...
Went up to the th, to the start of the eightmile lake hike, 6 mile rt, following the rd. stopped at the th, as time was running out to cont. Lots of snow, we didnt use our snow shoes because the snow is comact and snow shoes are not needed as far as to the th. Great views on this snow shoe, weather good and lots of people either snow shoeing or sled ing.
Eightmile Lake
— Aug 27, 2011
— dk
Day hike
Features:
Ripe berries
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Great morning hike! Trail is well-marked, if dusty. First 3/4 mile is hot and exposed, but it gets better. Good...
Great morning hike! Trail is well-marked, if dusty. First 3/4 mile is hot and exposed, but it gets better. Good mixed terrain up the valley, lots of spots to dip in Eightmile Creek, Little Eightmile Lake and Eightmile Lake. Few bugs and excellent views. Fairly crowded, however.
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Bugs
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We spend 2 nights at Eightmile Lake and dayhiked to Windy Pass. It is fascinating to look in Eightmile Lake...
We spend 2 nights at Eightmile Lake and dayhiked to Windy Pass. It is fascinating to look in Eightmile Lake at night with flashlights--so many big crawdads!
I would not recommend camping at Lake Caroline right now until it cools down--too many mosquitos and biting flies. Eightmile Lake is not too bad for bugs now. The trail from Little Eightmile to Lake Caroline goes up 2000' feet in relentless sun, and has plenty of biting flies. The trail from Lake Caroline to Windy Pass is delightful and spectacular, highly recommended. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs
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We got the last space at the Eightmile Lake trailhead parking lot when we arrived at 9am, not a surprise...
We got the last space at the Eightmile Lake trailhead parking lot when we arrived at 9am, not a surprise given that it was a Saturday with gorgeous weather. We expected to be hiking with mobs of people but we saw almost no one all the way to the lake! And even at the lake there were only a handful of people who had backpacked in earlier. Maybe most of the cars were from people who had hiked up to Lake Caroline/Windy Pass? However, there was a parade of people coming in as we left the lake at 1pm, so an early start is highly recommended. Another benefit is that there were no bugs in the morning until we got to the lake where the black flies were out in force. The flies were somewhat of a nuisance all the way back to the trailhead, so I guess they are late sleepers. The trail was dusty and a little rocky in spots but mostly in great shape. The biggest problem was avoiding the large amounts of fragrantly fresh horse manure. As a relevant side note, I am still amazed when I see people hiking wearing only flip-flops. Little Eightmile Lake is a nice stop before the grandeur of the main attraction. This was our first hike here and Eightmile Lake is amazingly beautiful. There were still lots of flowers blooming and some good bird sightings too, including white-winged crossbills, waxwings, a grouse, sapsuckers, nutcrackers, a dipper and tons of violet-green swallows. The wonderful scenery, easy trail and closeness to Leavenworth make it is easy to see why this is so popular.
This trail requires the Northwest Forest Pass. I encourage other WTA posters to include pass information!
Eightmile Lake
— Jul 24, 2011
— gopher
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
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warm!!! Very pretty! Trail is snow free. Some flies at lake but thats about it. The lake and surronding mountains...
warm!!! Very pretty! Trail is snow free. Some flies at lake but thats about it. The lake and surronding mountains are amazing!
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Eightmile Lake. Photo by Just a Hiker.
2010
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