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Henskin Lake

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
46.9369, -121.4692 Map & Directions
Length
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,000 feet
Highest Point
5,550 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate
Henskin Lake. Photo by LisaRas. Full-size image
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Lakes

This is a beautiful hike that, “has it all” from wonderful wildflowers and a deep forest to wild creeks and an alpine lake. You will even see an abandoned gold mine along the way! Continue reading

Rating
3.17 out of 5

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Hiking Henskin Lake

This is a beautiful hike that, “has it all” from wonderful wildflowers and a deep forest to wild creeks and an alpine lake. You will even see an abandoned gold mine along the way!

Begin at the Silver Creek Trailhead, #1192. Continue to follow the Silver Creek Trail up and to your right – do not take the Blue Bell trail, a snowshoe trail. A short distance after the trail flattens out you will pass the remnants of an old ski lift before crossing the open wildflower fields of Gold Hill. You will then enter the forest and pass the abandoned gold mine and cross a picturesque creek on a short wooden bridge.

From here you will gradually climb in the forested shade for a mile until you hit a 3-way intersection. Head right on the Henskin Lake Trail, # 1193 for .6 miles up to the lake. Time here is serene except when it gets buggy. Bring a lightweight fly rod if so inclined.

You can choose to take the Crystal Mountain Trail up to Lake Elizabeth (1 mile and 400 feet) or go down the way you came. The Crystal Mountain Trail continues to the summit once past Lake Elizabeth primarily on ski slopes.

Hike Description Written by
Janice Sears, WTA Community

Henskin Lake

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 46.9369, -121.4692 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

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WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Silver Creek Trailhead: From Enumclaw, drive east on Highway 410 for 33.1 miles, then turn left on the Crystal Mountain Parkway (#7190) for 4.2 miles. Turn left onto Gold Hills Road for another 3 miles to the trailhead on the right side of the road. 

Alternate trailhead at Crystal Mountain upper parking lot: Follow the directions above, but instead of turning left onto Gold Hills Road, stay straight on Crystal Mountain Parkway for a total of 6.4 miles, from Highway 410. Park in the upper lot (Parking lot A) and find the Bullion Basin Trail just beyond the chapel. Follow this trail a short distance to the first intersection where you can turn right to get on the Silver Creek Trail, which is where this hike description starts. 

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Silver Creek (#1192), Henskin Lake (#1193)

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District

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Henskin Lake

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