Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Island Lake - Rainbow Lake
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. Head up the trail toward Talapus and Olallie Lakes, looping through a couple of long switchbacks before crossing into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at about 1 mile. In a long 0.25 mile past that boundary you'll find yourself at Talapus Lake (elev. 3250 ft), and in another mile you'll swing around the Olallie Lake basin. Avoid the trail to the lakeshore of Olallie. Instead, turn right and cross the creek, then turn left at the next trail junction (just above the creek) to stay on the high trail as it sweeps along the hillside to the east of the lake. The trail curves to the west along the headwall of the lake basin, and at 3.6 miles from the trailhead it reaches another trail junction. Stay left, (Pratt Lake Basin, is to the right). Skirt the flank of Pratt Mountain for 1 mile to a high point above Island and Rainbow Lakes. Turn left here and drop 0.4 mile to Island Lake, or stay right and drop 0.5 mile to Rainbow. A small boot-beaten path through the woods links the two lakes.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle drive I-90 east to exit 45 (Forest Road 9030). Turn left under the freeway on FR 9030. In 1 mile bear right at the junction. Continue straight to the trailhead at the road's end. Recent Trip Reports
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Island Lake - Rainbow Lake
— Nov 06, 2011
— vstover
Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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We started off at the Talapus Lake trailhead and made it to Rainbow Lake, then turned back. There was...
We started off at the Talapus Lake trailhead and made it to Rainbow Lake, then turned back. There was a small amount of snow along much of the trail, particularly above Olallie Lake, but it didn't really slow us down. The muddy portions of the train are mostly frozen, so that was nice. All in all it was a great hike on a beautiful day.
Island Lake - Rainbow Lake
— Sep 03, 2011
— Garth1
Overnight
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs
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Started out from Talapus Lake Trailhead on Saturday around 10 am. Only ten cars in the lot. Trail...
Started out from Talapus Lake Trailhead on Saturday around 10 am. Only ten cars in the lot. Trail got very busy up to Talapus. After passing Talapus the crowds mellowed out. The trail was well maintained and easy to follow. The hike became a little harder after the Pratt Lake cutoff but not impossible for two out of shape parents and a nine year old. There was two blow downs on the side trail leading into Island Lake but easy to get around. Hardly anyone was at the lake except another family who we saw once. We also did not see any garbage like we saw at Pete Lake the week before. The bugs are thick at the campsites so bring deet or head nets if you dont want to get eaten alive. Luckily the breeze keeps them at bay when your sitting at the lake. Overall a great fun family overnight trip.
Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake, Island Lake - Rainbow Lake, Mount Defiance
— Aug 26, 2011
— Bounder of Adventure
Multi-night backpack
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As this trail has been more than adequately described by other users, I will add my two cents on a...
As this trail has been more than adequately described by other users, I will add my two cents on a more serious topic.
As my two buddies and I hiked out from Island Lake on the 28th, we passed a still-smoldering campfire at Mason Lake in the early morning. Okay. One, it's above 4000 feet, so no fires. Two, it's posted TWICE before the lake that fires are not allowed within the lake basin. Three...there were maybe twelve people camped within 50' of this site, all of whom should have been able to smell and see the smoke just as we did.... As well as dozens of other hikers already on the trail that morning. And yet, we were the ones who spent an hour carrying water from the lake to try to douse the smouldering duff? And while I realize that no one likes confrontation (least of all myself), I would hope that someone had a good shout at the idiots who were trying so very hard to start a forest fire the previous night. After we did our best to douse the area, we hiked out as fast we could, heavily loaded, and called the Ranger station to report the fire and get some professionals out to complete the process, which still needed some shovel-work. We found that we were the first to call it in. Please everyone, please. If you are in the forest, the forest is your responsibility. Thank you!
Island Lake
— Aug 21, 2011
— Carrie
Overnight
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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FOUND a Big Agnus Green Tent Fly at the north side campsite of Island Lake in the bushes. Call...
FOUND a Big Agnus Green Tent Fly at the north side campsite of Island Lake in the bushes. Call 206-280-4214.
Bugs were a bit heavy...but lake was beautiful! Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bugs
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with photos
Hiked from the Talapus Trailhead with my 3 huskies today. The trail was in good condition with a lot of...
Hiked from the Talapus Trailhead with my 3 huskies today. The trail was in good condition with a lot of hikers and families out enjoying the sun. Crowds thinned out as I passed Olallie Lake. Bugs were moderate, worse if I stopped for too long. Gorgeous views after I passed the Pratt lake turn off. The wildflowers were beautiful! Chatted with a few rangers, not very many people at Island Lake. Made awesome time jogging back to the trailhead.
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Photo by Kim Brown.
2010
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