Hope and Mig Lakes, Josephine Lake, Tunnel Creek & Icicle Creek — Monday, Sep. 21, 2009

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

Our trip to Josephine Lake started from the Tunnel Creek Trail off of the forest service road just after the "big left" on Highway 2 East a few miles before Stevens Pass. The parking situation is pretty minimal, there are at most 4 spaces split between two little clearings. If those are taken you're stuck crowding onto one side of the road into the bushes. From the trailhead, the path climbs strenuously to its junction with the PCT at Hope Lake. Even though the trail is listed as "low use," it seemed quite well maintained. However, don't expect an easy go of it. You might actually benefit from doing a few jumping jacks in the parking lot to get your blood flowing - the trail has no "warm up" section (like many Cascade hikes do), and doesn't let up for over a mile and a half. Also, it bears mentioning that there are bugs aplenty on this section of the trail. From Hope Lake, we followed the PCT North to Mig Lake, which we thought was the more appealing of the pair. The PCT in this area has been meticulously maintained, with boardwalks and bridges galore. Kudos to the rangers. In the area between Hope and Mig Lakes, we found an abundance of huckleberries, as well as a large deposit of bear droppings. Past Mig Lake, the trail meanders through the forest for about a mile before entering a small meadow/cirque with a tarn at the bottom. Follow the switchbacks to the top, where you'll be able to see (briefly) Swimming Deer Lake down through the trees. We continued along and down the ridge until the PCT junction with the Icicle Creek Trail. From this junction, follow the Icicle Creek Trail up and finally down to the shore of Josephine Lake. Alternatively, instead of turning onto the Icicle Creek Trail, you can continue on the PCT North, which will take you past Lake Susan Jane -- probably the most beautiful area of the trip. From there, the PCT passes through forest and clear-cut before opening out into the Stevens Pass ski area, and ultimately Highway 2 again.