Hope and Mig Lakes — Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

This is a nice, moderately difficult trail, rewarding you with pretty woods sloping into a ravine-like valley, interesting trailscapes and outcrops along the way and two very pretty lakes. The fairly short distance to the lakes and the reward to effort ratio make this a nice choice during several months of the year. But right now, fall colors are just beginning to show and there is a nice crop of blueberries along the trail between the lakes. 

We arrived at Tunnel Creek TH a little after 8:00 after first dropping off a vehicle at the Surprise Creek TH. We did this because our original plan was to hike from the Tunnel Creek TH up to Hope Lake, continue east along the PCT to Surprise Lake, and then hike down Surprise Creek to the Surprise Lake Trailhead at Scenic, with a stop at Trap Lake.

But one of our party(me) was having problems with the approximate 1000 foot climb up to Hope Lake after having had a respiratory/summer cold(?) illness the first several days of the week, and perhaps due to a more serious illness a few months ago. I thought I had recovered sufficiently to make the 11+ mile hike up over Trap Pass...but I was wrong and basically ran out of gas early on. At Hope Lake, we discussed my problem and the slower pace I was causing...along with the prospects of another 1600 feet elevation gain up to Trap Pass and the remaining 9+ miles to our destination. Our trip leader wisely decided to make this a Hope and Mig Lake hike and plan the longer trip at a later date.

I provide this bit of information for perhaps a lesson for myself and others....listen to your body. When it tells you to recover more from an illness and not be overconfident with your ability, pay attention. The last two times I hiked to Hope/Mig Lakes six years ago, I thought this was a pretty easy hike and had no problems. Yesterday, it seemed like a much different hike. 

Now, re the trail conditions, notwithstanding my problems yesterday, I still consider the Tunnel Creek Trail to be in decent shape with only a couple of problem areas.  There are many rocky and rooted areas with numerous step ups and downs. But most of these should not be a problem for most hikers. There are a couple of stream crossings that, at least right now, cause no problems. There is one area about half way up where the trail has eroded and slumped a bit and one section of rocky outcrop in the trail itself near Hope Lake that requires some very minor climbing/scrambling. But with a little caution and watching your step, these are not major obstacles. 

Once at Hope Lake, there is lots of room near the intersection with the PCT to kick back, stare at the lake and talk with through hikers passing by. Take a break here if you like and then head on to Mig Lake.

The PCT section of the trail between Hope and Mig Lakes is easy, beautiful and a pleasure to travel. Lots of interesting mushrooms along this as well as patches for blueberries right off the trail. 

Hope and Mig Lakes are very pretty lakes with good access points along both...I believe Mig is the prettiest. Once you leave the woods near Mig Lake, there are acres of blueberry bushes.  But the berries are nearing their peak and will be gone soon. 

The fall colors are just beginning and are nice....vine maples along the trails and blueberries and other shrubs near the lake are turning. In a week or two, they will be even nicer. 

A nice day out, notwithstanding my problems on the way up. I still plan to do ther longer hike over Trap Pass....but I will be better prepared.

Logistics:

• Road up to TH is in fair condition. We took the potholes slowly and had no problems with the worst ones in a CRV. With caution, I think most sedans would have no real problems. Be aware that the road narrows to one-vehicle widths in may places. Keep an eye out for pullouts and wide spots in case you meet an oncoming vehicle.
• Parking area is a long section of road with a couple of small turnouts for a couple cars each. Those turnouts and the road should accommodate approximately 15 to 20 cars, depending on how they park. There were two other vehicles when we left TH and a half dozen or so on return. 
• Be mindful of the turn onto FR 6095 from HWY 2. It is not highly visible and you could miss it if not paying attention. Then you may have to go up to Stevens Pass before you can turn around. On leaving, you have to turn right and head toward Stevens Pass. There is no way to turn west onto HWY 2 as you exit the FR. 
• Left TH at 8:40, took it very slow...about 30 minutes at each lake...back at TH a little after 2:00
• No toilet at TH...but there is a backcountry toilet at Hope Lake. I think, but am not certain, there may also be one at Mig Lake. I know there was one there in 2019. Suggest you stop at the Iron Goat Interpretive Center down the road if you are heading east on HWY 2