Eightmile Lake

The hike to Eightmile Lake is a relatively easy three mile climb, gaining 1300 feet. It's not necessarily a pretty hike. Sure, it has a show of flowers at this time of year, but the surrounding mountainsides are still scarred and barren from recent forest fires. This exposes the hiker on a cloudless day to the unrelenting attention of the sun with few shady spots in which to find refuge. Yet, this was a glaciated valley and the morraine features are quite interesting. At 2.5 miles, the trail comes to Little Eightmile Lake which has a campsite. Be careful of potentially weak trees which could break or fall! In another half mile is Big Eightmile Lake with beautiful waters, bold mountain cliffs, and nice campsites.

At Little Eightmile Lake is an unsigned trail that climbs steeply 2000' up the bare exposed side of a mountain to Lake Caroline. A WTA crew was working on this stretch this week and it should be quite improved when they get done.

To get there, turn south at the western end of Leavenworth onto the Icicle Creek road. Drive 8.5 miles - past the Eightmile campground - to road 7601. There is a small sign. Cross the bridge and climb 3 miles to the trailhead.