12 of the Best Alpine Lake Hikes in Washington

Washington is full of jagged peaks, wildflower meadows, and alpine lakes. There are so many it can be hard to know where to start looking to find the perfect hike for your weekend getaway or Pacific Northwest road trip. Over the past few summers, I’ve hiked to a lot of beautiful alpine lakes in Washington and you really can’t go wrong! That being said below is a list of some of the best alpine lakes in Washington you can hike to!

What to Pack for an Alpine Lake Hike

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Make sure to bring the right supplies on your alpine lake hike! Below is a list of things to consider packing and wearing for the trail.

• Fleece- A fleece or mid-layer is great to have when hiking so you can easily take it off to cool down- Soft REI Fleece
• Warm Jacket– In the mountains, it is always good to bring a warm down or synthetic jacket, even if it is hot in the city.- My Favorite Packable Jacket
• Day Pack– Always bring a pack on any hike no matter the length to carry water and essentials- Recommended Osprey Day Pack
• Beanie or Hat- If you are hiking in colder weather bring something to keep your head warm. If it’s warmer, consider a cap to keep ticks off your head- Warm Beanie,  Baseball hat
• Waterproof Boots– Make sure to bring waterproof boots- My Favorite Hiking Boots, Men’s Version
• Hiking Socks– Wear good hiking socks to avoid blisters, no matter the hike length!-Women’s Hiking Socks, Men’s Hiking Socks
• Moisture-Wicking Shirt- A quick dry active tee makes for a much more comfortable hike-  Women’s Hiking Shirts, Men’s Hiking Shirts
• Moisture-Wicking Pants– While they do not need to be waterproof, you will likely want either moisture-wicking pants or shorts in the summer- Comfortable Women’s Hiking Pants, Women’s Hiking Shorts
• Water Bottle– When hiking, bring a water bottle to hydrate- Water Bottle
• Swimsuit– If you plan on swimming in an alpine lake, don’t forget a swimsuit!- Women’s Swim Top, High Rise Swim Bottom
• Towel– Bring a small towel to dry off after your dip- Compactable Towel
• Sunscreen– Make sure to wear sunscreen outdoors- SPF 50 Sunscreen
• First Aid Kit- Always bring a first aid kit in the outdoors- First Aid Kit
• Filter– Consider a filter, so you don’t have to pack as much water up- BeFree Filter
• Sandals– Many alpine lakes have sharp rocks surrounding and in the lake. Wear sandals or water shoes to protect your feet (especially if you have a long hike down)- My Favorite Outdoor Sandal, Men’s Version
• Parking Pass- A National Forest Pass or Annual National Parks Pass (also called America the Beautiful Pass) is needed to park at most of these trailheads Annual Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass
• Camera- Bring a camera to capture your memories!- Beginner Travel Camera

Alpine Lake Leave No Trace Considerations

When hiking to Washington alpine lakes, make sure to follow all Leave No Trace Rules! A few important ones to consider at lakes are mentioned below. This helps keep the lakes pristine and the wildlife safe!

• Pack out all your trash! Do a last check around you before leaving to make sure you got your trash and belongings.
• When camping, your tent should be at least 200 feet from the lake. This is important to not contaminate the water supply!
• Don’t rinse or drop food in the lake. Pick up any dropped food scraps! This includes organic matter like peels. They do not decay quickly and can harm the local wildlife.
• Don’t feed animals that frequent the trail. Animals will become aggressive if they associate people with food. Look but don’t touch!
• Bury or pack out any toilet paper. Check local recommendations. Most places recommend packing out your toilet paper, but at a minimum always bury your toilet paper! For women, I recommend aKula Cloth,so you don’t have to use paper every time you pee.
• Fish only where it is allowed. Check local fishing requirements before bringing out gear.

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Area Lake Hikes

Chain Lakes Loop

• Length: 6.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1794 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Backpacking: Yes
• Trailhead Location: Mount Baker Highway, Artist Point Trailhead

Chain Lakes Loop is one of the best hikes near Mount Baker and it’s not hard to see why. This loop goes around numerous alpine lakes, including Iceberg Lake, Bagley Lake, and Mazama Lake. Start this loop near Artist Point, or alternatively start near the Visitor Center at Austin Pass Picnic Area, which may have more parking.

Several of the lakes can be camped at, but go early in the day or on a weekday to claim your spot, as this area fills up fast!

Picture Lake

• Length: 0.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 6 feet
• Difficulty: Very Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Backpacking: No
• Trailhead Location: Off Mount Baker Highway, pullouts are along the road.

If you are looking for the easiest lake hike in Washington this is it! You don’t get much more bang for your buck than at Picture Lake in Mount Baker! Much of this trail is paved or a boardwalk, so it is very accessible for anyone who may be visiting with kids or who can’t walk far. This is also one of the best lakes to watch sunrise at in Washington!

Lake Ann

• Length: 8.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2047 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Backpacking: Yes
• Trailhead Location: Mount Baker Highway, Lake Ann Trailhead

Lake Ann has been one of my favorite backpacking trips I’ve done in Washington! Dipping into a cold alpine lake after a hot hike has to be one of the best experiences in the world. Campsites can be found around the lake, so this makes for a great one-night backpacking trip or a day hike with lunch at the lake.

Mount Rainier Area Lake Hikes

Summit Lake

• Length: 5.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1417 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a leash
• Backpacking: Yes
• Trailhead Location: Clearwater Wilderness

Summit Lake is technically not in Mount Rainier National Park, but it has a view that rivals any you can get in the park! Even if you have not heard of “Summit Lake” you have likely seen photos of this beautiful lake in Washington.

The trailhead does require 4WD to access, with the end of the road being very bumpy. Make sure you have enough gas and supplies before heading to the trail, as it is quite remote. Since it is outside the park, you can bring your dog on this lake hike, and enjoy the views from the lake, or the top of the hill where you can see Mount Rainier.

Tipsoo Lake

• Length: 0.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 19 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are not allowed
• Backpacking: No
• Trailhead Location: Mount Rainier National Park

Tipsoo Lake has one of the best views in all of Mount Rainier National Park. I prefer this spot for sunrise, but it would also be stunning at sunset. The hike around the lake is very short and easy. While you can see Rainier from the shore of the lake, the best view is further up along the road where you can look down and see both the lake and Mount Rainier.

Lake Emmons

• Length: 4.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 935 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are not allowed
• Backpacking: No
• Trailhead Location: Mount Rainier National Park

Lake Emmons is one of the less visited alpine lakes near Mount Rainer. The water of this lake is a bright turquoise, but it is a bit out of the way if you have a limited amount of time in the park. To see the mountain and lake at the same time, you do have to go down very loose rocks that would not be recommended for beginner hikers. Sticking to the main path will bring you to a viewpoint looking down at this bright gem-colored alpine lake.

Naches Peak Loop

• Length: 3.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 659 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are not allowed
• Backpacking: No
• Trailhead Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Off WA-410

Naches Peak Loop is located partly inside Mount Rainier National Park, and partly outside of it in the National Forest. Since part of the trail is inside the park, you still cannot bring your dog if you plan to hike the full loop. This trail passes by a few small alpine lakes including Tipsoo Lake and Upper Tipsoo Lake. Naches Peak Loop is also one of the best wildflower trails to hike in Washington!

Read More: One Day in Mount Rainier National Park (Best Day Hikes)

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Lake Hikes

Sheep Lake

• Length: 3.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 587 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed
• Backpacking: Yes
• Trailhead Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Off WA-410

Sheep Lake shares a trailhead with Naches Peak Loop but resides entirely inside the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, so it is a dog-friendly lake hike! This would make a great first backpacking trip or just an easy day hike to the lake.

Dewey Lake

• Length: 6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1282 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed
• Backpacking: Yes
• Trailhead Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Off WA-410

Dewey Lake Trail shares much of the same trail as Naches Peak Loop. After about a mile and a half, the trail branches off and you continue down to Dewey Lake. This is a nice lake to avoid the crowds compared to some of the others on this list.

Lake Valhalla

• Length: 6.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1364 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed
• Backpacking: Yes
• Trailhead Location:  FS 6700

Lake Valhalla is a stunning alpine lake near Leavenworth, Washington. This is a great option to avoid some of the crowds at Colchuck mentioned below. You can also hike above the lake, by hiking to Mount McClausland. This part of the trail is difficult and less traveled, so make sure you have some hiking experience.

Colchuck Lake

• Length: 8.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2342 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed
• Backpacking: Permit Required
• Trailhead Location: Eight Mile Road, near Leavenworth

Colchuck Lake is possibly the most beautiful and most popular Washington alpine lake. Do not expect solitude here, as it is a very well-known lake, and the gateway to one of Washington’s most famous hikes- The Enchantments. Plan to arrive at the trailhead early, as it will fill up here fast, and make sure you are well prepared with plenty of water and snacks.

This alpine lake is also one of the most unique swimming spots in Washington! The water is ice cold, but jumping in feels so good after a long hike up!

Lake Ingalls

• Length: 8.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2939 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed
• Backpacking: Yes
• Trailhead Location: North Fork Teanaway Road

This may be the most difficult alpine lake hike on this list, but it’s worth it! Lake Ingalls is a steep climb, but the views at the top are unparalleled. This hike is especially stunning in the Fall when the larches turn a vibrant yellow color, making it one of the best larch hikes in Washington! The road to the trailhead is a long gravel road, so be prepared for a slow drive in and have a high-clearance vehicle.

Other Alpine Lake Hikes in Washington

Of course, this is not all of the alpine lake hikes in Washington. Washington is full of lakes and it would be nearly impossible to list all of them. Below are a few more popular trails that lead to lakes worth a visit!

• Lake Serene– 9.1 miles, 2798 feet, Difficult– Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
• Snow Lake- 6.7 miles, 1699 feet, Difficult– Alpine Lakes Wilderness
• Lake 22– 5.9 miles, 1450 feet, Moderate– Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
• Blue Lake– 4.6 miles, 915 feet, Moderate– Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
• Heather Lake- 5.4 miles, 1210 feet, Moderate– Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
• Lake Crescent– No hiking, Easy– Olympic National Park
• Tolmie Peak & Eunice Lake– 5.6 miles, 1555 feet, Moderate– Mount Rainier National Park

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