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This is a great day or overnight hike to one of the most accessible Alpine Lakes.


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Map Key

3.5

Miles

5.6

KM

Point to Point

4,674' 1,425 m

High

3,313' 1,010 m

Low

1,462' 446 m

Up

102' 31 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

32%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers

Family Friendly This is challenging, but not overly so. Kids over 6-ish will do fine and splashing in the lake was a hit!

Permit required: day-users can self register at the trailhead, but camping requires purchasing a permit ahead of time.

Description

Please note that a severe fire burned this area in 2017 and most trees along the shoreline have burned, and it is not recommended to explore to the end of the lake with children. This is a great hike for accessing the beauty of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. At 3.5 miles, this is a great day hike or a nice overnight. We backpacked in for 2 nights for my 7 year old's first backpacking trip.

The first half mile starts with a significant climb, so he was a little discouraged at first. After that, though, the grade becomes much more gradual, with only a couple of short steeper sections.

This hike will take you through evergreen stands, meadows, and opportunities to see the forest rebuilding itself after fires in 1994 and 2010. There are not very many shady areas in the middle of this hike, so prepare for that. The bugs can be annoying at the lake, so be prepared if you plan to stay up there a while.

I've done this hike a few times earlier in the season and found the lake to be bone-chillingly cold, but this time in August I found it to be refreshing and crystal clear. Around the 3 mile mark, you'll come to a small lake that is very pretty and worth a break to enjoy. However, continue climbing a bit more to get to your destination and the reward of fantastic views.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Flashhard with improvements by Karen K

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 9 votes

#11523

Overall
  3.8 from 9 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
11%
Trail Rankings

#545

in Washington

#11,523

Overall
10 Views Last Month
3,052 Since Aug 15, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

8 Mile Lake, near Leavenworth WA.
Jul 30, 2017 near Leavenw…, WA
Eightmile Lake
Jun 19, 2019 near Leavenw…, WA
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