09 Jan Snow Lake Trail: A Bucket List Hike Outside of Seattle, Washington

Normally people say to temper your expectations so that you do not get disappointed. However, I am going to start out by saying that the Snow Lake Trail is one of my all-time favorite trails in the state of Washington. I mean, come on, how could I not love a hike that leads to a lake with beautiful blue water surrounded by mountains where I can go for a quick swim?

Keep reading below to learn about the location of the Snow Lake Trail as well as some general visitor information and hike details.

Contents:

1) Location of Snow Lake Trail

2) General Visitor Information

3) Quick Facts

4) Snow Lake Trail Description and Scenery

5) Snow Lake Trail Length and Difficulty

6) Additional Lake Activities

7) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of Snow Lake Trail

The Snow Lake Trail is located in North Bend, Washington. Moreover, it is only around one hour southeast of downtown Seattle as well as just over one hour northeast of downtown Tacoma. You can easily make a day trip here – no excuses! Additionally, I recommend you add Snoqualmie Falls to your day trip itinerary. You will most likely pass the falls on your drive to Snow Lake, so why not stop and take a look at one of the most popular attractions in the state of Washington?

Is There Parking at the Snow Lake Trailhead? 

Yes, there is a fairly large parking lot right by the trailhead. On Google Maps, it is called “Alpental Parking Lot.” However, just because the parking lot is large does not mean you are guaranteed a spot. The parking lot can fill up very quickly, especially on a beautiful Saturday or Sunday morning.

For example, we arrived around 7am on a weekend morning and found the lot to already be at least 60% full. Therefore, I recommend you arrive early in order to snag a spot. Moreover, you will be thanking me later when you are hiking in the cool morning weather compared to the sweltering afternoon heat.

Mentally preparing myself to jump in the COLD water

What Are the Best Lodging Options Near the Snow Lake Trail? 

First, I recommend you book a room at the Snoqualmie Inn by Hotel America for a budget stay. If you stay here with one other person, the total will most likely be less than $100 per person per night. Do not get me wrong though, the Inn still boasts great reviews.

Second, I recommend you book a room at the Salish Lodge and Spa if you want to experience the lavish lifestyle for a night (or maybe even a whole weekend). You can fine dine in one of their restaurants, rejuvenate your body in the spa, and relax in one of the various lounges. On top of all of that, the lodge is located right beside Snoqualmie Falls. Wake up and enjoy a view of the waterfall first thing in the morning.

What Are the Closest Airports to Snow Lake? 

First and foremost, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is only an hour drive (with minimal traffic) from Snow Lake. Although, the drive could easily be an hour and a half or two hours during rush hour traffic. This airport is going to be your best bet in terms of options simply due to the fact that it is the largest airport in the area.

Second, Paine Field Airport is also around one hour from Snow Lake. However, it is a much smaller airport. For example, it only has two gates. Third, you can head into Canada to reach the Vancouver International Airport. The airport is slightly less than a three hour drive from Snow Lake. Do not forget your passport!

Fourth, drive three hours south to reach the Portland International Airport. If you find a super cheap flight out of Portland, then I recommend you make it a whole trip and take some time to explore the city. I loved visiting Portland, especially sunset views at Council Crest and all of the waterfalls to the east.

View of the surrounding mountains through the trees along the trail

2) General Visitor Information

What are the opening hours for Snow Lake Trail? Snow Lake Trail is open all day, every day. However, a wilderness permit is required for any overnight trips or day use in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from the period of May 15 to October 31. Do not worry, though, for permits are free. Moreover, you can obtain the permit at the trailhead.

Is there an entrance fee required for the Snow Lake Trail? Yes, you must either pay a $5 entrance fee or have a valid Recreation Pass.

When is the best season to hike to Snow Lake? The best seasons to hike the Snow Lake Trail are spring and fall. These two seasons offer moderate temperatures, which you will appreciate as you are hiking switchbacks with no cover from the sun. On the other hand, winter brings colder temperatures as well as avalanches. Multiple avalanche chutes cross the trail, so you should not venture out unless you are an expert hiker in those conditions. Additionally, summer brings hotter temperatures as well as larger crowds.

When is the best time of day to hike to Snow Lake? The best time of day to begin hiking the Snow Lake Trail is in the early morning. Trust me, you want to avoid the crowds that appear by mid morning and extend well into late afternoon. Moreover, you can conquer the majority of the elevation gain along the trail before the sun really starts to take a toll on you.

Miscellaneous Visitor Information

Are there restrooms at the Snow Lake Trailhead? There are restrooms at the parking lot for Snow Lake as well as one pit toilet along the trail once you near the lakeshore.

Can you bring dogs on the Snow Lake Trail? Yes, dogs are allowed on the trail to Snow Lake. However, they must be on a leash at all times.

Looking through the clear water along the shore of Snow Lake

3) Quick Facts

1. The trailhead for Snow Lake is located about one hour east of Seattle in the town of North Bend, Washington.

2. There is a small entrance fee of $5 for the hike to Snow Lake. However, you can use a Recreation Pass to cover the fee.

3. The Snow Lake Trail is a 6.7 mile (~10.8 kilometer) out-and-back trail with approximately 1,700 feet (~518 meters) of elevation gain.

4. Upon arriving at Snow Lake, you can go swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding in the water.

5. Have more energy? You can hike another three miles (~4.8 kilometers) round trip to Gem Lake.

Enjoying the views at Snow Lake

4) Snow Lake Trail Description and Scenery

The trail to Snow Lake is mainly a dirt path with some loose gravel. However, sometimes the path turns into all rocks. You definitely need to watch your footing as it would be all too easy to twist an ankle. Moreover, some sections of the trail are so narrow that only one person can hike through at a time. On our return hike back to the car, we had to stop and wait multiple times for people to pass by us as they were hiking to the lake. (And we even started our hike early in the morning). The later you start your hike, the more crowded the trail will be and the more times you will have to stand to the side to let people pass.

Additionally, the trail has elevation gain or loss for just about the entire hike. You will start by hiking uphill, and then shortly after you will encounter switchbacks. Just put one foot in front of the other and do not look up at all of the switchbacks to come. Once you reach the top of the switchbacks, the trail then starts to lose elevation gain as it descends to the lake.

What to Keep in Mind About the Snow Lake Trail?

A few additional notes about miscellaneous things on the trail. First, there are a fair amount of bugs and bees along the trail. One bee would not leave my bag alone when we stopped to swim in Snow Lake. Second, the very beginning of the trail is shaded from the sun, but the rest of it has zero sun coverage. Third, the rocks can be slippy right along the edge of Snow Lake. I know from experience (aka I slipped and fell on by butt).

Are you looking for even more hikes in the area? I recommend you check out Rattlesnake Ledge in Snoqualmie Valley as well as Thunder Creek Trail in North Cascades.

Is There an Overlook on the Snow Lake Trail? 

Yes! There is an overlook along the trail where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Snow Lake in all its glory. You will stumble upon the overlook area shortly after you climb to the top of the switchbacks. We actually did not even know this overlook existed beforehand. However, we saw a fair amount of people heading just off of the trail to a rocky area. We decided to check it out, and we were definitely glad we did.

As we turned to the left off of the trail, we walked towards the rocky overlook. We started to get a glimpse of Snow Lake, so we went even further. We climbed around on the rocks a bit until we found a nice spot with a clear view of the lake.

I definitely recommend you take a couple of minutes to explore the overlook area, for this will be your only chance to see Snow Lake from above. Moreover, why not give your legs a break after all of those switchbacks? You deserve it.

I LOVE a good overlook. In fact, the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail was my favorite hike in all of Glacier National Park (and we completed a lot of hikes in Glacier).

Panoramic view of Snow Lake from the overlook area

Where to Enjoy the Views at Snow Lake? 

When you are nearing Snow Lake, you have two main options. First, you can walk straight towards the lake. This path leads to the main beach area. While the beach offers gorgeous views, it also has large crowds. I assume that most people head here.

Second, you can walk around the right side of the lake to find an even better spot along the shore. What do I mean by that? The views are gorgeous all around the lake, but I do believe the view from around the middle of the lake on the right side is the best because you have only mountains in the background. Additionally, you do not have to deal with larger crowds. For example, we found a spot where no one else was around.

What Is the Scenery at Snow Lake? 

It is truly hard to describe in words the beauty that is Snow Lake. But here we go. First, the lake is a beautiful blue color. If you walk right alongside the shore, you can then also see just how clear the water is as you stare at the lake floor. Second, there are mountains surrounding Snow Lake on almost all sides. However, I would say the mountains on the left side of the lake are the most impressive.

Third, there are evergreen trees everywhere. You can thus see the contrast of the bright blue water against the gray mountains spotted with evergreens. Fourth, look closely and you might see small remnants of snow on the nearby mountains, no matter the time of year.

The bright blue water of Snow Lake

5) Snow Lake Trail Length and Difficulty

The Snow Lake Trail is a 6.7 mile (~10.8 kilometer) out-and-back trail with approximately 1,700 feet (~518 meters) of elevation gain. It is considered to be a moderate to challenging hike, and an average hiker can complete it in about three hours and 45 minutes.

One thing to keep in mind about the mileage is that the Snow Lake trail technically ends around the right side of the lake where it comes to a fork with the Gem Lake Trail. What does this mean? If you hike only to the main beach area by the lake, then you will be hiking less than 6.7 miles (~10.8 kilometers). If you hike the entire way around the lake to its northern point, then you will be adding more mileage to your trip on top of the 6.7 miles (~10.8 kilometers).

Looking for more challenging hikes in Washington State? Then you have to make a day trip to North Cascades National Park. Not only is the park beautiful, but it also does not have an entrance fee.

Google Maps outline of the Snow Lake Trail

Is the Snow Lake Trail Difficult? 

Snow Lake is not a family-friendly hike. That being said, I would leave the kids at home for this one unless you plan to carry them in a backpack the entire time. I know, that sounds incredibly difficult and tiring, but I saw people doing it. I guess it is a great way to get in a leg workout (but I shall stick to the gym).

The hike is a bit difficult mainly due to the amount of elevation gain. Once you begin the trail, you are hiking uphill for what feels like an eternity. There are a fair amount of switchbacks, and we all know that switchbacks can make a trail feel two times longer and harder than it actually is. It is just science at this point.

However, you can enjoy hiking downhill near the end of the trail as you descend to the shore of Snow Lake. While it might seem like a joyous break at first, remember that you then have to hike uphill when you begin your return trek. This means you should not completely tire yourself out on the hike to the lake, for you need to save a fair amount of energy for the return hike back.

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks on the Snow Lake Trail

6) Additional Lake Activities

Hmm…what to do once you reach the shore of Snow Lake. There are so many options! You can get in the water, get on the water, set up camp for the night, or even hike a bit more (if your legs are not yet jello) to Gem Lake.

Water Activities 

First, you can go swimming in Snow Lake. My partner and I found a nice, quiet spot along the shore with no one else around. Hint – this is NOT at the main beach area. That area will most likely be quite crowded. You thus have to continue hiking around the shore for a bit to find a spot that you deem worthy of a cannonball.

Moreover, the water can be chilly. Do not say I did not warn you. Nevertheless, it is so incredibly beautiful that it is worth it. You can look at the mountains just beyond the shore or the beautiful clear water as you jump in and possibly lose your breath (for just a moment) due to the chill. Trust me, I took some of my favorite photographs out of the entire state of Washington while swimming at Snow Lake.

Second, you can get on the water by kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, etc. However, just keep in mind that you have to hike with your water vessel. I have an inflatable kayak that I love to take out on lakes and rivers, but I would not love to hike with it. For something a bit more lightweight, you can choose an inner tube.

Swimming around in Snow Lake

Camping

When we arrived at and continued hiking around the shore of Snow Lake, we were surprised to see a fair amount of tents set up. We did not know people would camp by the lake, but it makes sense. You can simply wake up, unzip your tent, and look outside for an unbelievable view. Oh, and you can just jump in the lake and say you showered.

Just be sure to grab a wilderness permit at the trailhead for any overnight trips in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness (which includes Snow Lake) from May 15 to October 31.

Additional Hiking

Maybe the 6.7 miles (~10.8 kilometers) to Snow Lake was not enough of a workout for you? Then hike another 1.5 miles (~2.4 kilometers) to Gem Lake. Additionally, you can enjoy more peace and quiet as well as privacy at Gem Lake. While the trail to Snow Lake can be crowded at times, the trail to Gem Lake is usually pretty clear. Furthermore, you can enjoy another beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. What more could you want?

If you decide to add Gem Lake to your Snow Lake hike, then here are some details for you. The trail to Snow Lake + Gem Lake is a total of 9.7 miles (~15.6 kilometers) with approximately 2,680 feet (~817 meter) in elevation gain. It is considered to be a challenging hike, and an average hiker can complete it within five and a half hours.

If you arrive at Snow Lake and are unsure of whether or not you want to continue to Gem Lake, here are some things to keep in mind. The additional hiking to Gem Lake adds three miles (~4.8 kilometers) round trip as well as almost 1,000 feet (~305 meters) in elevation gain. Moreover, you will need at least two more hours.

Panoramic view of Snow Lake from the shore

7) Recommended Items to Bring

In the market for other travel-based items? Then check out my Winter Road Trip Packing List and Summer Road Trip Packing List.

1. Reusable water bottle: You know the saying…hydrate or diedrate. Seriously though, drinking water is important on a daily basis, and it becomes even more important when hiking for hours on end.

2. Bathing suit + travel towel: Yours truly went for a swim in Snow Lake after hiking all the way there, and it was a refreshing dip. I always carry my microfiber towel when hiking just in case I get the urge to jump in the water. It definitely came in use on that day.

Hygiene Products 

3. Sunscreen: To avoid looking like a lobster the next day (if you have fair skin), take two minutes to apply sunscreen before you begin hiking.

4. Bug spray: Imagine this. You are waving your arms around trying to swat the bugs away from your face. This might not be too bad for a minute. But for an entire hike that lasts multiple hours? No thank you. Try a mosquito repellent bracelet if you do not like the feeling or smell of the spray.

Hiking Essentials – Snow Lake Trail

5. Bear spray: Do not forget that you are still in bear territory, mainly black bear territory. Bear spray is praised as one of the most effective deterrents against bears.

6. Hiking shoes: As mentioned above, be prepared for rocks, rocks, and some more rocks along the trail while hiking to Snow Lake. Your ankles will thank you the next day if you hike with a pair of sturdy hiking shoes compared to casual tennis shoes.

Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent set up in Glacier National Park

7. Hiking poles: People often carry hiking poles for extra support on trails with a lot of elevation gain. Additionally, you might want the assistance of hiking poles if you are like me and find out you have patellar tendonitis shortly after you arrive in Seattle, all excited for the beautiful hikes in the area.

8. Optional – crampons: Crampons are only necessary if current trail conditions detail the presence of snow and/or ice. For a short explanation, crampons are spikes that you can attach to the bottom of your hiking shoes.

Camping Essentials

For additional camping recommendations, check out Camping Essentials for Women and Best Accessories for a Pop Up Camper.

9. Pop-up camping tent: I cannot praise this tent enough. For reference, I used it for a week while visiting multiple national parks, including Glacier. Ditch your tent that has tent poles for this beautiful pop-up tent that you can easily set up in minutes.

10. Camping tarp: Thunderstorms can happen while camping. I know, I would prevent them too if I could. Nevertheless, tie up a tarp above your tent to prevent any water from dripping into your tent in the middle of the night.

11. Sleeping pad: Your mood and your body will be thanking you in the morning after you provide them with a comfy sleeping pad compared to the hard ground.

12. Sleeping bag: I have shivered through a night of camping before, and it is not enjoyable. Trust me, you do not need to find out for yourself. Instead, curl up with a comfortable and warm sleeping bag.

Double sleeping pad set up in our tent

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