Information about this hike provided in partnership with Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books

Clara and Marion Lakes

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Featured In: Day Hiking: Central Cascades, by Craig Romano.
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These two little larch-fringed lakes tucked within the basaltic slopes of Mission Ridge make an ideal destination year-round. Clara and Marion offer excellent spring hiking, good heat relief in the summer, a spectacular color show in autumn, and a wonderful family-friendly snowshoeing route in winter. These are the only motor-free trails along Mission Ridge-savor this area's peace along with its beauty.

Follow the Squilchuck Trail (a name derived from the Chinook Jargon, meaning "muddy waters"). It leads uphill into a mature forest of Doug-fir and ponderosa pine. At 0.4 mile, after negotiating some tight switchbacks, come to a junction with the Pipeline Trail (elev. 4900 ft), a popular snowshoe route.

Continue ascending in thick, cool forest, big larches now adding to the mix. At 0.9 mile the grade eases near a crossing of Lake Creek. A short distance farther, reach a signed junction. The trail left leads to the little lakes. Take it.

Immediately enter a beautiful little basin flanked by giant larches and basalt spires, sculptures, and pyramids. Also find little Clara Lake. Continue on trail, now over a slight rise, reaching tiny Marion Lake within a few minutes. It is set within equally pretty surroundings, so sit back and let the sounds of nature (birds, breeze, and busy squirrels) calm your soul.

Driving Directions:

Follow US 2 to Wenatchee, turning south onto State Route 285 and driving for 4.5 miles until it turns east to cross the Columbia River into East Wenatchee. Do not cross the bridge. Instead, continue straight on Mission Street. After 0.8 mile, Mission becomes Squilchuck Road. Continue for 11 miles to the road's end at the Mission Ridge Ski Area. The trailhead is located near the entrance to the ski area parking lot (elev. 4575 ft).

Recent Trip Reports

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There are 2 trip reports for this hike.

Clara and Marion Lakes — Sep 11, 2010 — digity777

Day hike

Issues: Blowdowns | Overgrown

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We decided to ride our bikes and soon realized that there was alot of problems with that, first were all...

We decided to ride our bikes and soon realized that there was alot of problems with that, first were all hikers and rarely ride so the uphill was tough for us and the entire down hill was covered in fallen trees, but made for a fun day of pushing and carring our bikes ;)
The 2 little lakes were kewl but small.

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