Hiking to Snow Lake: Washington’s Most Popular Alpine Lake Trail
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Washington is a hiker’s paradise. It has some of the most famous natural treasures in the United States, like Mt. Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. These parks are stunning in their own right, but what if I told you the best alpine lake hike was only an hour outside of Seattle? Snow Lake is a perfect day hike if you’re short on time or just fancy breathtaking views.
My girlfriend and I lived in Seattle for a few months in 2024, and we went on a lot of hikes but we were amazed by how close to Seattle and simultaneously great.
There are other hikes that are closer, like Rattlesnake Trail but they often fail in comparison to Snow Lake. An hour might seem like a long drive to some but we’re from Virginia Beach. The closest true hiking park is the Shenandoah National Park, which is around three hours away.
Minus the Seattle traffic on the way back (which we did get stuck in on multiple occasions), this hike is one you should add to your list of great hikes near Seattle!
How Difficult is Snow Lake Trial? The Hiking Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Out-and-back |
| Total Distance | 6.6 miles (10.6 km) round trip |
| Elevation Gain | Approximately 1,700 feet (518 meters) |
| Highest Elevation | Around 4,400 feet (1,341 meters) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Average Duration | 3 hours 40 minutes (round trip) |
| Trailhead Access | Alpental Ski Area parking lot |
| Best Season | July through October |
| Dog-Friendly | Yes, dogs allowed on leash |
| Pass Required | Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass |
| Permit | Self-issued Wilderness Permit (May 15 – October 31) |
| Camping | Designated backcountry sites within ½ mile of the lake |
| Trail Features | Alpine lake, mountain views, wildflowers, potential for snow patches |
This is an easy trail to follow and offers different viewpoints throughout. I loved how the trail quickly took you through the trees and up to a great viewpoint on top of a large boulder.
How is the Parking Situation?
Some of the trails in Washington are so popular that parking can become an issue. That isn’t the case when hiking to Snow Lake.
The parking lot is of decent size, partially due to it being located next to the Alpental Ski Resort. Other trailheads like the one to Colchuck Lake can get crowded fairly quick.
Parking Pass for Snow Lake
Parking isn’t free if you’re looking to hike Snow Lake. You’ll need either a Northwest Forest Pass or an Interagency Pass. We used our ‘America the Beautiful‘ pass and put it on our dashboard.
The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 for the year and is a steal if you plan to visit multiple National Parks.
A day pass will set you back $5 or an annual Northwest Forest Pass will be $30. Choose wisely!
My Experience Hiking to Snow Lake
I want to start by saying how well-maintained this trail is. Beginning with the initial ascent from the parking lot, we were taken through the lush green forest along a smooth and wide path.
Along this trail were many gravel portions, so I do suggest having a good pair of hiking boots. If this portion of the hike is harder for you, take your time. This isn’t a race.
The views during this section (and throughout) were impeccable. During the first 1.5 miles, we reached an elevation gain of about 700 feet.
Hiking in the Alpine wilderness to these lakes like this one, Colchuck and Lake Serene, is something I try not to take for granted. These hikes might be hard, but you’ll be rewarded at the end.
During the steeper sections, we came across sets of stairs that were in fantastic condition. I truly appreciate the hard work that goes into keeping this maintained.
As we continued up these stairs towards the fork, we started to feel the burn. But we kept pushing.
When arriving at the fork, there’s another trail that continues towards a viewpoint of Source Lake. We didn’t do this but it’s an added section if you’re feeling up to it.
Shortly after this fork, the switchbacks started, and the elevation gain increased. We kept pushing until we arrived at the viewpoint of Snow Lake.
The next 1.2 miles added an extra 600 feet of elevation gain.
There is a big boulder that we climbed onto and enjoyed the scenery. You really can’t take in enough of this area.
After taking in the views, we started the hike down to Snow Lake.
The descent for the next mile was fairly easy, and we had many opportunities to stop and take photos.
There are other small side trails that you can take to get different viewpoints of the lake if you’re looking for more photo opportunities.
We kept to the main trail but on our way back up, we explored a little bit more. In all honesty, I was pretty hungry at this point and couldn’t stop thinking about that sandwich I packed…what’s new?
Once we arrived at Snow Lake, we were greeted by breathtaking views of the lake and the peaks behind it.
There weren’t as many people down at the lake as I thought there’d be when we first started this hike. Which, for me, is a good thing.
We snapped some photos, ate lunch, and enjoyed the views.
The switchbacks on the way up can be brutal if you don’t give yourself enough time to rest but other than that, it’s a pretty straightforward hike.
Extend Your Adventure
If time permits, there’s even more fun to be had at Snow Lake. Beyond Snow Lake, you can access different trails to see other beautiful areas.
Gem Lake
If adding on an extra four miles is nothing to you, then I suggest continuing to Gem Lake. I haven’t hiked to this lake personally, but I heard its worth the effort if you’re up to it.
It’s still worth hiking around like you’re headed to Gem Lake to get those different camera angles of Snow Lake!
Weekend Trip: Snow → Melakwa → Denny Creek
If you’re looking for even more adventure but can’t backpack long days or don’t want to drive all over the state, you’re in the right place.
There are many other trails and beauty around to go and see while you’re in this area.
Melakwa Lake via Denny Creek
Melakwa lake is stunning and has a lot of space for you to set up camp to enjoy the nature. The hike is longer than Snow Lake but it’s well worth it if you’re up for the task.
Just around the corner of I-90, you can park at the Denny Creek Parking lot. Here you can take the Denny Creek trail to Melakwa Lake.
This is a 9.4-mile round-trip hike that takes you up through the mountains. Along the way, you’ll see multiple waterfalls and you’re likely to come across other fellow hikers.
The best time to hike this trail will be between April and October. With that being said, there have been reports of snow farther up the trail until sometime in June.
Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be on a leash.
Things to Know Before Hiking Snow Lake
You’ll want to come prepared for the hike to Snow Lake, depending on what time of year you visit.
Best Time to Hike
Hiking Snow Lake from July to October is the best time to avoid the snow without the need for gear. We hiked in late September and it was perfect.
If you do go earlier in April or May, there’s a good chance of snow still being on the ground. And only hike in the winter if you have the correct gear.
Avalanches can be prevalent in this area and it’s only suggested to hike during these winter months if you have the proper safety hiking gear.
Getting There
The beauty of this hike is its close proximity to Seattle.
Getting to the Snow Lake Trail is pretty straightforward if you’re coming from Seattle. Hop on I-90 heading east and follow it for about an hour until you reach Exit 52 for Snoqualmie Pass West.
After exiting, take a left to cross under the freeway. From there, take the second right. It’s a winding road that leads you 1.3 miles up to the Alpental Ski Area parking lot. This is where the hike begins.
Parking can fill up fast on weekends, especially during peak summer months, so I recommend arriving early if you want a spot (and a quieter trail experience). If you’re planning this as a day trip from the city, it’s an easy and scenic drive that sets the tone for a beautiful alpine adventure.
My Suggested Gear
First you’ll have to figure out if you’re planning to camp at the lake or just looking to visit it on a day hike. Also, it’s important to know if there’s snow on the ground, which depends on when you go.
- Keen Hiking Boots: One of my favorite hiking boot brands is Keen and you’ll need a good pair no matter what time of the year you plan to hike
- North Face Tent: If you plan on camping at Snow Lake, you’ll need a quality tent and North Face has you covered.
- Osprey Daypack: There are so many daypacks on the market today and you can’t ever go wrong with an Osprey.
- Microspikes: If you aren’t afraid of the snow and looking to hike earlier in the season, then spikes will come in handy.
Is this hike for you?
I’m under the personal belief that you can do whatever you set your mind to. This hike is no exception. It’s short enough that you can take your time and long enough that you can feel like you accomplished something great.
The views from the lake to the mountains are top-notch. You don’t need to do much rock scrambling, like Pinnacle Peak in Mt. Rainier, which makes it easier.
Don’t let some reviews of people saying it’s hard to steer you away. There’s no shame in turning around and giving it another try another day.
Hikes like Skyline Loop at Mt. Rainier are ranked as hard on sites like Alltrails but might not be as difficult as you might think.
Leave No Trace Practices
Please follow the ‘leave no trace‘ best practices. This is the case when hiking, camping, or anything. This hike is no different than any other activity you do outdoors.
The whole idea behind this is that you should leave the area like you never visited. Below are some easy tips to follow:
- Dispose of ALL waste properly and take all trash with you
- Leave what you find
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Only camp on durable surfaces
FAQ
Do I Need a Northwest Forest Pass?
If you plan on hiking and parking at the trailhead of Snow Lake, you’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass.
An ‘America the Beautiful’ pass will also work here and most other parking spot locations that require a pass.
Is Snow Lake Dog-friendly?
Dogs are allowed on the trail to Snow Lake but must be on a leash. This is also the case for other hikes in the area.
When is the Snow Lake Snow-free?
Hiking in July through October is the best chance of seeing no snow on the trail to Snow Lake. This is an alpine hike, so it’s best to come prepared.
Final Thoughts
It’s a great feeling knowing that there are stunning hikes like this so close to Seattle. It can become crowded during the summer months, but it’s still worth it due to the incredible views. This hike will be on my list of hikes that I continuously do when I’m in the area.
The next time I head back to this area, I’ll be adding on the other sections like Source Lake and hiking to Melakwa Lake via Denny Creek.
