Josephine Lake, Icicle Creek, Hope and Mig Lakes & Tunnel Creek — Thursday, Jul. 17, 2025

We hiked into Josephine Lake and camped for a few nights, taking day hikes down Icicle Creek toward Chain Lakes and Whitepine trail before heading south for a night at Hope Lake and an exit down the Tunnel Creek trail. The trails were mostly clear save for one larger tree across the path a short distance from Stevens Pass that required crawling under, a few smaller trees that were easily hopped over, and one brushy section climbing away from Lake Susan Jane. Wildflowers were in abundance, and blueberries and salmonberries were ripening the further down Icicle Creek we traveled. We shared the lakeshore with a few other campers but never felt crowded and enjoyed plenty of solitude along the trail even with the dozens of day hikers, trail runners, backpackers, and PCTers. The mosquitos weren't pleasant but certainly not the worst I've encountered. A steady breeze at Josephine helped clear them out, and bug netting sufficed at Hope Lake.