Hiking to Snow Lake in the Snoqualmie Pass

On our drive through the Cascade Mountain Range to Winthrop, we stop at Snoqualmie Pass at an elevation of about 3,000 feet (915 meters).  Snoqualmie Pass is the lowest of the three east-west mountain passes in Washington State, along with Stevens Pass (US Route 2) to the north and White Pass (US Route 12) to the south.  Interstate Route 90 through Snoqualmie Pass is the primary commercial artery between Seattle and points east, with an average of 29,000 vehicles driving through the pass every day.

We're stopping to hike to Snow Lake, starting at the top of the pass and hiking 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round trip with an elevation gain of 1,800 feet (550 meters).  With a close proximity to Seattle, this path is Washington's most heavily used hiking trail and we are glad to arrive on a weekday when it is not very crowded.  We park at the trailhead and start up.

View from the trailhead

Starting up

After an initial climb, the trail levels out (relatively) through the forest, then crosses fields of rocks before heading up again.

Trail less steep

Across rocky fields

Great views

We continue up, following sets of steps that lead us up the hill even faster.

Along the edge

Steps up

We reach a lake overlook and descend to the Snow Lake over more rocky trails.

Snow Lake

Trail to the lake

Reaching the shore

We have our lunch on the ruins of a cabin built at the lake in 1936 with two stories and room for 24 people.  One of the builders was killed in World War II and the others never returned to the cabin, which collapsed from lack of care and heavy snowfall in 1950.  We walk a ways uphill and observe (but do not use) the nearby lavoratory with incredible views.

Ruins of cabin

Toilet with a view

We retrace our steps back up to the overlook, then return to the trailhead parking lot, catching more great views of the lake as we proceed in the other direction.

Lake view

Trail up to overlook

View from the overlook

Descending

Reaching the parking lot (and ski slope)

What a great break in the long drive to Winthrop.  We get back on the highway and continue across the Cascades and then turn north along the eastern edge.