This narrow forest trail climbs gently alongside a gurgling ice-rimmed creek and leads to a picturesque alpine lake. The trail is often attempted by cross-country skiers, but the narrow path and thick forest often send them packing before they complete the first mile, so a high degree of quiet solitude can be found at this lake despite the shortness of the access trail. The lake is ringed with snow-laden trees, but some nice views of the jagged top of Jim Hill Mountain appear to the south. The lake is also an ideal destination for novice winter campers--not too far to snowshoe but far enough to get into a true wilderness setting. The thick old growth around the lake provides plenty of shelter for a snug winter camp.

The Lanham Lake Trail starts about 10 yards up Mill Creek Road--one of the ski area's groomed trails, so snowshoe along the uphill edge of this groomed track to avoid incurring the wrath of skiers on your way to the trailhead. Bear left into the trees at the well-marked start of the Lanham Lake Trail.

This narrow hikers' trail follows the west bank of Lanham Creek as it climbs the gentle valley to its headwaters in the lake. About 0.25 mile up, the trail crosses a clearing, passes under high-tension powerlines--these carry the juice that keeps Puget Sounders out of the dark--and crosses a groomed ski trail (part of the commercial operation).

Try to ignore the buzzing electrical lines and the unnaturally flat track left by the groomer. The trail leaves both behind quickly as it continues the steady climb up the creek valley. About a mile up the trail, the valley narrows considerably. The trail is now close to the creek, and footing is sometimes slick where the trail enters a brief, steep pitch for a couple hundred yards.

The last 0.5 mile is only moderately steep as the valley widens again and finally opens into a deep bowl cradling the lake. If you are the adventurous type, trek up the slope on the far (south) side of the lake to explore the flanks of Jim Hill Mountain, but if avalanche danger is moderate or higher, skip this added adventure and stick to the lake basin for any extra exploration.

Author’s Rating: More Difficult
Some previous snowshoe experience helpful. Some winter survival skills recommended (basic knowledge of avalanche evaluation, emergency shelter construction, etc.). Elevation gain is usually less than 1000 feet with a gradual slope.