Who said trails had to be all wild and no whimsy? Lake Wenatchee is the perfect place for a simple day excursion... and even a photoshoot! Close to Leavenworth, this perfect location offers it all - views, ease of access, and delicious noms nearby.

Chased the sun over to Lake Wenatchee (south entrance). Had a picnic on the beach and took a stroll around a few of the lakeside trails. Glacier lilies everywhere and just a few lingering patches of snow. Such a lovely spot this time of year. Was jealous of all the campers (campground definitely wasn't full, and the nearby Forest Service is still closed for the season). A few families playing and picnicking on the beach. If it had been a tad warmer, we would have considered a swim. I bet the park is super busy (and fun) in summer, but it's definitely worth a visit now. Great bathroom (with showers $.50 for 3 min).

The trail was covered in snow but we knew that going in (it is winter after all!). We only made it to the lake and turned around. The view of the mountain hugged by the fog was beautiful. Part of the lake was frozen making it just that much more breathtaking.

NOTE: Map shows wrong starting location. Please follow instructions. Very easy, flat sawdust trail along the lake. Perfect for all. We did just over 2 miles early Saturday morning and took some great pictures of the surrounding peaks/hills.

If you’re looking for some relatively uncrowded and scenic snowshoe routes, Lake Wenatchee State Park is a good option. The snowshoe trails were all marked with flagging and relatively easy to follow, even the ones that hadn’t seen footprints since the last snowfall. Currently, you can get away without snowshoes (I left mine in the car) but there’s also some fresh powder to traipse through if you’re excited about breaking trail. There aren’t a ton of miles to be had and it’s not exactly “wilderness,” but Lake Wenatchee State Park was much more low-key in terms of parking, crowds, etc. than some of the options closer to Seattle. See below for a link to a map of the Park's winter trails. For good food and clean, basic cabins, check out the 59er Diner and Cabins on Hwy 2. More pics: http://evergreenendurance.com/2016/01/05/lake-wenatchee/