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Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Hope and Mig Lakes
These are Hope and Mig ponds, actually-but what these two little lakes lack in surface area they make up for in setting. Especially if it's flowers or berries you seek. Set in parkland meadows amid groves of hardy mountain hemlock along the Cascade crest, the lakes and surrounding area invite further exploring. But first you'll need to get there via the Tunnel Creek Trail, an at times steep, at times rocky approach.
Start climbing in an old cut on a recently reconstructed section of trail. Tread eventually degrades to roots and rocks in places, while stumps and second growth yield to beautiful old growth. While this trail is named for Tunnel Creek, it travels nowhere near it, although it does tag above one of its small tributaries. Working its way upward, the trail traverses steep slopes, crossing several small cascading side creeks. Occasionally the trail leaves the cover of the primeval canopy to cross a small opening, granting limited views to the tumbling tributary below. At 1.5 miles enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at a broad ridge crest. The valley behind with all of its magnificent old trees was left out of wilderness and slated to be logged before globalization shifted the emphasis to cheaper (but just as ecologically rich and important) timber from the ancient forests of Russia, Chile, and other nations. Just beyond the wilderness border reach a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at little Hope Lake (elev. 4400 ft). Primarily wooded with pockets of meadows, the shores of this small lake have been heavily trampled by campers, anglers, and berry pickers. Go easy on this landscape. Turn left, traveling north on the PCT to reach Mig Lake. After winding through groves of mountain hemlock and heather meadows for 0.7 mile, reach the small lake (elev. 4650 ft). Surrounded by marshy meadow, berry patches, and clumps of subalpine forest, Mig's setting is serene. Come in early summer for the floral show, including lawns of flowering cotton grass, which is actually a sedge that sprouts cottony seed clusters.
Driving Directions:
Drive US 2 east to the small town of Skykomish. Continue for another 12 miles, turning right onto Forest Road 6095 located just after crossing the Tunnel Creek Bridge at a hairpin turn. (If you're coming from the east, a barrier makes it impossible to turn left onto FR 6095.) Follow FR 6095 for 1.2 miles (avoiding side roads) to a Y intersection. Bear left, coming to the trailhead in 0.1 mile (elev. 3100 ft). Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Bugs
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This hike is a thighbuster on the wap up and a kneebuster on the way down. The trail is in good shap...
This hike is a thighbuster on the wap up and a kneebuster on the way down. The trail is in good shape. There were 3 cars at the trailhead when I got there and 6 when I left, so it is relatively well traveled. I ran into three hunters on the way up who reported finding only grouse.
The meadows and lakes at the top were beautiful and still as glass. This was the first hike where my dog actually insisted upon a rest stop on the way down, so it is a workout.
Hope and Mig Lakes, Tunnel Creek
— Sep 03, 2010
— epaget
Overnight
Features:
Ripe berries
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My wife and I were looking for a short hike we could do as an overnighter because we would have a la...
My wife and I were looking for a short hike we could do as an overnighter because we would have a late start and had to be back on Saturday. This one seemed like a good idea, but after having done it, I don't think we will do it again. It's just not that pretty of a hike and the lakes leave much to be desired.
Instead of starting at Stevens Pass and hike the entire way in on the PCT, we decided to take the shorter 2 mile route via the Tunnel Creek Trail (#1061). This isn't the most beautiful of lakes, but it is a good hike or backpack if you are short on time. We hit the trailhead on Friday afternoon at around 4:00 pm and made it to Mig lake around 5:40 pm. The bugs were almost non-existent which was very nice. The trail is in pretty good condition - a little rocky in spots, but not too bad. It is a fairly steep climb from tunnel creek, but it levels off at 1.6 miles when you reach Hope Lake. Little children might find Tunnel Creek Trail difficult because it just goes up and up with little relief. If you are hoping to do any fishing, you should plan to stay at Hope Lake. The fish there are abundant. There aren't really any fish at Mig Lake. The blueberries/huckleberries are wonderful at both lakes. And, as one reviewer correctly stated, the campsites are more abundant at Mig Lake. Both lakes have their beauty, but don't expect any amazing vistas. You spend most of your time hiking in the trees and don't ever get to see mountains after you emerge from the forest. As a result, I'd probably give this hike a 4 out of 10. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail
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Snow level at 4,400 ft and spring wildflowers are blooming!!!
A nice day for a hike. Trail was i...
Snow level at 4,400 ft and spring wildflowers are blooming!!!
A nice day for a hike. Trail was in good condition with only one or two blowdowns, which were easily circumnavigated. The trail up to Hope Lake was mostly snow free with a number of spring wildflowers blooming. Today’s flowers were: Western trillium, Marsh-marigold, Queen’s cup lily, Foamflower, Stream violet, Spring beauty, Bunchberry or dwarf dogwood, Solomon’s seal, Tall bluebells, and Thimbleberry. Once you got to Hope Lake it was time to put on gaiters as the snow, while mostly firm, was deep with the occasionally plunge through. If you want to travel on the PCT I would strongly suggest gaiters, sunglasses, map, and especially a GPS and knowledge of how to use it for snow travel. There were no tracks in the snow. We walked from Hope Lake south on the PCT where our hope was to get to the 5,200 ft knoll. We turned back near the step ascent (~ 0.4 miles from Hope Lake) as it would require crossing a fast moving creek and one of our hiking dogs was not up to it. On the way back down we stopped to take pictures of the wildflowers. A most pleasant afternoon. We had it all to ourselves. Multi-night backpack
Features:
Fall foliage | Ripe berries
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Bugs
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Our trip to Josephine Lake started from the Tunnel Creek Trail off of the forest service road just a...
Our trip to Josephine Lake started from the Tunnel Creek Trail off of the forest service road just after the "big left" on Highway 2 East a few miles before Stevens Pass. The parking situation is pretty minimal, there are at most 4 spaces split between two little clearings. If those are taken you're stuck crowding onto one side of the road into the bushes.
From the trailhead, the path climbs strenuously to its junction with the PCT at Hope Lake. Even though the trail is listed as "low use," it seemed quite well maintained. However, don't expect an easy go of it. You might actually benefit from doing a few jumping jacks in the parking lot to get your blood flowing - the trail has no "warm up" section (like many Cascade hikes do), and doesn't let up for over a mile and a half. Also, it bears mentioning that there are bugs aplenty on this section of the trail. From Hope Lake, we followed the PCT North to Mig Lake, which we thought was the more appealing of the pair. The PCT in this area has been meticulously maintained, with boardwalks and bridges galore. Kudos to the rangers. In the area between Hope and Mig Lakes, we found an abundance of huckleberries, as well as a large deposit of bear droppings. Past Mig Lake, the trail meanders through the forest for about a mile before entering a small meadow/cirque with a tarn at the bottom. Follow the switchbacks to the top, where you'll be able to see (briefly) Swimming Deer Lake down through the trees. We continued along and down the ridge until the PCT junction with the Icicle Creek Trail. From this junction, follow the Icicle Creek Trail up and finally down to the shore of Josephine Lake. Alternatively, instead of turning onto the Icicle Creek Trail, you can continue on the PCT North, which will take you past Lake Susan Jane -- probably the most beautiful area of the trip. From there, the PCT passes through forest and clear-cut before opening out into the Stevens Pass ski area, and ultimately Highway 2 again. Day hike
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Ripe berries
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What a wonderful discovery. Access road 6095 leaves highway 2 right at the horseshoe bend before th...
What a wonderful discovery. Access road 6095 leaves highway 2 right at the horseshoe bend before the highway begins its big climb up to the pass. Because of the highway divider, it is only accessible from the eastbound lanes, but if the road is clear, it is possible to hang a Uie at either end of the divider to get there and get out again. The road sign is mounted back in on the road and is not very clear. The road is in good condition. At the first fork, go right and cross the concrete bridge. At the second fork go left and skip that concrete bridge. The trail head has a sign but not much parking.
Trail 1061 climbs at a steady pace 1.6 miles to Hope Lake where it intersects the PCT. The path is clear and well maintained and did not seem as steep going up as it did coming down. Another half mile east on the PCT reaches Mig Lake and abundant fields of blueberries. From there the PCT wanders gently along the slope before climbing steeply over an unnamed pass. Below the pass is Swimming Deer Lake and a bit further on around the bend of the ridge is Josephine Lake. The tread is all in good shape, the scenery is beautiful, and the blueberries are delicious. There is also a rich variety of mushrooms. We met lots of through hikers today, racing to get to Canada before the weather turns sour. Total gain overall is about 2000 feet in 5.2 miles one way. |
 Hope Lake. Photo by Janice Van Cleve.
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