Started the trail at 3:30pm on a weekday. The parking area had about 10 cars, with room for some more. This is a quieter, moderately difficult trail that offers solid lake views with Mt Rainier as the backdrop. The total elevation gain for this trail is a bit deceiving, because the ascent and descent sections can be steep and strenuous. I didn't take trekking poles for this trail, but they would've definitely helped.
Bench Lake is first, with a marker leading left and downwards towards it. The section of the trail down to the lake is steep. Bench Lake is breathtaking with Mt Rainier in the background. The views are just as good as those at Reflection Lake.
After rejoining the trail, you can continue towards Snow Lake. For a slightly different experience, consider going to the camp area to the left when you arrive at the fork. From campsite 1, you can descend to the shore and take in panoramic views of the lake. On a low-traffic day, this is an incredibly peaceful setting and it feels like you have the lake to yourself. This lake reminded me of Lake 22 because the scenery and settings are remarkably similar. I left Snow Lake at 4:30pm and was back at the parking lot at 5pm. My hike took 1hr 30mins including rest stops at both lakes.
Comments