Hiking Project Logo

Continue beyond the Snow Lake crowd to the least visited lake at Snoqualmie Pass.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

14.5

Miles

23.4

KM

Out and Back

4,904' 1,495 m

High

3,131' 954 m

Low

4,285' 1,306 m

Up

4,283' 1,305 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

52%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This route takes you from the busiest trailhead to the one of the least visited lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, making a fantastic long day hike or multi-day backpacking trip. The length of this route does not reflect the challenging nature of the trail from Snow Lake to Upper Wildcat. Expect raw and difficult trail conditions in the later miles.

Need to Know

A Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass is required for parking. You can purchase passes for National Forests online, at Forest Service offices, or from private retailers.

Description

This hike begins at the Snow Lake Trail in Snoqualmie Pass, which is justifiably the busiest trailhead in the area. But don't let that scare you away! Hikers who have the extra curiosity (and stamina) to venture a few miles past the gorgeous shores of Snow Lake will be rewarded with much smaller crowds and more crystal-clear alpine lakes surrounded by jagged peaks.

The trail continues past Snow Lake to Gem Lake, 4.9 miles from the trailhead. Following the trail through the Snow Lake Basin, continue circumnavigating the lake. A highlight of the trail is walking across an awesome log bridge high above the outlet of Snow Lake. Continue following signs for Gem Lake, and soon you'll begin switchbacking up the ridge and traversing a large talus slope. Arrive at the Gem Lake Basin and take it all in!

Great campsites are scattered throughout the small cliffs and meadows around Gem Lake. For more campsite privacy, traverse the lake counterclockwise and you'll find a few more amazing sites on the east side of the lake, and another great site or two on the north side of the lake.

On the east shore, a tall rocky mountain looms. If big views are what you're looking for, the scramble to Wright Mountain awaits. There is no official trail, but a defined boot path leaves from near the campsites on the east side of the lake. Some mild boulder hopping will be required to reach the rocky summit for 360-degree views of the Cascades. There is also a smaller scramble along a ridge to a high point on the north side of the lake that has some pretty great views as well, if you aren't up the the elevation gain to Wright Mountain. If you are staying at Gem Lake, the sunset views from either spot are stunning.

The trail continues on a further 1.9 miles to Lower Wildcat Lake. The upper lake is a brushy bushwhack .7 miles above the lower lake. These basins offer even more secluded and remote campsites, should you decide to pack your supplies up this far.

Contacts

Shared By:

Matt Schonwald

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#5152

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
50%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#293

in Washington

#5,152

Overall
0 Views Last Month
0 Since Jun 18, 2024
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
50%
50%
0%

Photos

Chair Peak from the approach to Snow Lake
Nov 22, 2020 near Riverbend, WA
Snow Lake
Dec 31, 2018 near Riverbend, WA
The lake itself is magnificent.
Oct 8, 2019 near Riverbend, WA
Snow Lake.
May 2, 2017 near Riverbend, WA
Upper Wildcat Lake.
Jul 25, 2021 near Tanner, WA
Beginning of the trail.
Aug 22, 2021 near Riverbend, WA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 2, 2024
Private User
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.