Snow Lake Is The Best Day Hike Near Seattle

There, I said it. I know it’s a bold statement to make considering the number of unbelievably beautiful hikes in Washington State. But here’s the thing, The North Cascades, Olympic National Park, and Mount Baker all contain world-class hiking, but realistically you’re talking about a 3-hour drive to most trailheads from Seattle. That’s six hours round trip. I don’t know about you, but six hours is a lot of driving to tack onto of a full day of hiking. Enough to make you think twice about going at all.

To be honest, I’ve always been grateful to live within a few hours of so many stunning hikes. Within the context of the United States, a few hours is nothing – not even long enough to drive across most states. Then, a few months ago I struck up a conversation with the girl in front of me in an airport security line. It turned out she was from Austria. I immediately went into a diatribe about how beautiful the mountains were there. She laughed and told me that, unfortunately, she lived too far away from any mountains to enjoy them. Ironically she only lived a couple of hours away from where I had stayed during my trip to Austria. Which got me thinking, were there any trails I loved in Washington that were actually “close” to Seattle by these standards?

Sure, there’s Rattlesnake Ridge, Mount Si, Mailbox Peak, all within an hour of Seattle. And while I enjoy all of those hikes, especially for training during the off-season, I wouldn’t consider any of them a favorite. There is one hike, though, that kept coming to mind. A hike that I do almost every year not simply because of the easy drive from Seattle, but because I genuinely enjoy it. That hike is Snow Lake.

Snow Lake At A Glance

Type of Hike: Out and back 

Distance: Approximately 7 miles round trip. There is no defined “end” to this hike, so it’s difficult to give an exact distance. It depends on how far around the lake you decide to hike.

Difficulty: Moderate

Total Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,700 feet

Dogs: Allowed. Pets must remain on a leash at all times.

Length Of Time: It took us about 1.5 hours to get up to Snow Lake and a little less to get back down. We probably spent two hours at the lake eating, swimming, taking photos, and enjoying ourselves.

Best Season To Hike: July thru October are the best months to hike Snow Lake. Multiple avalanche chutes cross the Snow Lake Trail during the winter months. Only attempt the trail during the winter months if you have appropriate avalanche safety gear and experience. Moreover, the lake is frozen and covered in snow throughout winter and spring.

Permits & Parking Passes For Snow Lake

Snow Lake is located on National Forest land. You need to display a valid Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass at the Snow Lake trailhead.

Wilderness Permits are required for day use and overnight trips in Alpine Lakes Wilderness from May 15 to October 31. Permits are free and available on a self-issue basis at trailheads.  

Getting To The Snow Lake Trail Head

From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 52, signed for Snoqualmie Pass West. Turn left (north), crossing under the freeway. Take the second right, traveling 1.3 miles to the end of the road at the Alpental Ski Area parking lot.

Everything You Need For A Day Hike

Whether you are heading out for a quick day hike or something a little more ambitious, the right gear can make the whole experience smoother and way more enjoyable. This is the setup I’ve been using lately out on the trail, including the pieces I reach for again and again because they actually work in real conditions.

Storage

BACKPACK: Osprey Tempest 22 Pack for women and the Osprey Talon 22 for men. My go to when I need a little more space without sacrificing comfort. It carries beautifully, cinches in close, and has enough pockets to keep everything organized without feeling fussy.

RUNNING VEST: I’ve started using a running vest for hikes when I don’t need much gear because it keeps everything light, close, and easy to grab without taking off my pack. The Salomon Active Skin 8 has become my favorite because it fits like a hug, carries water up front, and has just enough space for the basics without ever feeling bulky.

Clothing

SUN SHIRT – The Crater Lake Hoody is my favorite sun shirt because it’s so light and soft it almost feels like air. It offers full UPF 50+ protection for long days in exposed terrain, so I don’t have to carry buckets of sunscreen.

SHORTS – You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. Whatever works for you! I’ve been really enjoying the Lululemon Pace Rival High Rise Shorts and Outdoor Voices Warmup 5” Shorts.

HIKING PANTS – To be honest I’ve never been a big hiking pants person. I generally just wear one of my favorite pairs of leggings, because that’s what I’m most comfortable in. But this summer I picked up a pair of REI Trailmade Pants and they were nice! The Trailmade Pants are affordable, durable, and surprisingly versatile for hiking and backpacking. And I have to admit it was nice to have a pair of pants that were a bit more airy than leggings.

INSULATED LAYER (Down Jacket) – The Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Jacket is a cold-weather essential I bring on alpine or winter trips when serious warmth is non-negotiable. It’s stuffed with premium 800-fill down, so it’s incredibly warm for its weight. I’d recommend sizing down. But when I’m really trying to go lighter without sacrificing warmth it’s hard to beat Rab’s Mythic G Down Jacket. Best to pick this one up on sale if you can!

RAIN JACKET: The Rab Phantom Jacket is an ultralight, fully waterproof shell that packs down small and disappears in your bag until you need it. I’m a fair weather hiker, but in the mountains weather can change fast, so it’s great to have rain protection that doesn’t weigh me down.

Shoes

TRAIL RUNNERS – The Hoka Challenger Trail Running Shoes is my go-to shoe for warm weather hiking. I prefer trail runners over hiking boots because they’re lighter, more breathable, and dry quickly. I’ve worn mine on everything from day hikes to multi-day trips like the John Muir Trail, and they’ve been incredibly durable for how lightweight they are.

BOOTS – The Danner Inquire Chukka Mid is my favorite hiking boot! I wear it when I want more ankle support than a trail runner but still need something light and flexible. Or when I just want to look cute!

Hiking Gear Essentials

WATER PURIFIER – The Katadyn BeFree is my favorite filter for speed and simplicity. It’s ultralight, easy to squeeze, and perfect for quickly filling bottles on the go.

The Grayl Water Filter is much heavier but unbeatable for international travel or areas with questionable water sources because it removes viruses as well as bacteria and protozoa. It works like a French press—fill, press, and drink—with no need for extra bottles or gear.

HEADLAMP – Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp

GPS COMMUNICATION – I carry the Garmin InReach Messenger Plus for peace of mind on backcountry trips — it lets me send texts and share my location even when there’s no service. The battery lasts for days, and it’s a small, reliable way to stay connected and safe when I’m off the grid. AND you can send photos and voice notes! Watch the video I made about the Garmin Messenger Plus! It’s one of my favorites.

SMART WATCH – I’ve been wearing the Garmin Fenix Watch to track my activity for years, and the JMT was no exception.

TREKKING POLES – Durston Iceline Trekking Poles. I just picked up the Durston Iceline Trekking Poles because I wanted something ultralight but sturdy to take pressure off my knees on big hikes. They’re incredibly light (under 10 oz per pair) and I couldn’t be happier with them.

MULTI-TOOL – Swiss Army Classic Knife

FIRST AID – Band-Aids, Leukotape, pain relievers, and antibacterial cream.

POWER BANK – Nitecore Power Bank

Camera

SONY RX100 VII – The Sony RX100 VII is my favorite compact camera for backpacking because it’s small enough to slip in a pocket but still delivers professional-quality photos. The 24–200mm zoom range makes it incredibly versatile, and it’s the perfect option when I don’t want to carry one of my heavier cameras but still care about image quality.

Just a quick heads up. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I might earn a tiny commission if you decide to make a purchase. It does not cost you anything, but it’s one of the simplest and most supportive ways to help me keep creating these guides. I’m not paid to recommend anything, and every opinion here comes from real experience with gear I actually use and love. If you’re planning on picking something up, using my link truly makes a difference and I appreciate it more than you know.

Hiking The Best Trail Near Seattle: Snow Lake

The trail to Snow Lake starts from the Alpental Ski Area Parking lot. It’s a big lot, and parking isn’t a huge concern even on the busiest days. From the trailhead, you ascend up a series of wood stairs. Every time I’m greeted by these stairs, I’m reminded of how much time and effort must go into maintaining this trail. It boggles my mind!
One of my favorite things about the hike to Snow Lake is that you clear the trees in a relatively quick fashion. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good stroll through the forest as much as the next person. But when you grow up in the PNW, it’s a real treat to encounter a trail that doesn’t require a few miles of switchbacks through dense trees before you get to any views.

The Source Lake Junction

Just before 2 miles, the trail splits at the Source Lake Overlook. Take the hairpin turn right to continue on to Snow Lake. Alternatively, you can take the short side trip (about 0.5 miles to the overlook). Once you hike past the fork, the trail really starts to climb. Thankfully, it’s also where the views really start to get good! You’ll ascend around 500 feet in .7 miles up to the wilderness boundary at a saddle above Snow Lake.

Pro Tip: The section of the trail between the turnoff for Source Lake and the top of the saddle is relatively steep and rocky. I’ve never thought much of it personally, but I noticed several complaints in various trip reports about “all the rocks,” so I figured it was worth mentioning. Don’t forget that hiking isn’t a race. If faster hikers want to pass, they can. The important thing is that you hike at a pace you are comfortable with to avoid unnecessary injury.

The Saddle

From the saddle, the main trail continues right down a series of switchbacks to the lake. But before you head down to the lake, I recommend taking the less obvious trail to your left for some great aerial views of Snow Lake and Chair Peak in the background. The short side trail will take you to a large rock face perfect for resting, eating, and taking in the views of what’s to come. It’s also a decent place to turn around if you are short on time.

Final Stretch Down To The Snow Lake

Continuing on the main trail, it’s another half mile and a 400-foot drop in elevation to the lake. Here, some short side trails lead down to the shore. Although at times it can be difficult to distinguish one path from another, try and
stay on established trails in the basin to minimize erosion in this heavily used area.

I get the feeling that many people call it a day at this point and begin the trek back to the parking lot. But my favorite area of the lake is actually a bit further. In fact, I generally skip these initial side trials to the lake altogether.

For the best views (in my opinion), rejoin the trail, and continue another half mile to where the lake’s outlet drains to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley. Eventually, the trail meets the shore, and the views really opens up! Chair Peak towers over the translucent turquoise water below. If it’s warm enough outside, this is the perfect spot for an alpine dip.

Where To End Your Hike

The trail technically ends shortly after this at an intersection with two other trails. One leading to even more glistening alpine likes and mountain vistas (more on that below), and the other eventually winding its way down to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley. My favorite photo op is actually along the trail to Gem Lake, just past this intersection. At Rock Creek, you will come to a small log bridge with great big views. This is usually where I turn around.

Extending Your Hike To Gem Lake

If the hike to Snow Lake has left you wanting more, you’re in luck! Nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain, Gem Lake is a mere 2 miles further. While it is much smaller than Snow, it is no less picturesque. Adding Gem Lake to your Snow Lake hike makes it 10 miles round trip with 2,200 feet of elevation gain.
To get to Gem Lake, follow the main trail along its eastern edge of Snow Lake until you come to an intersection with signs to Gem Lake. Take a left and follow the well-defined trail from there.
Pro Tip: The trip to Gem Lake makes for a beautiful beginner backpacking trip.

Backcountry Camping At Snow Lake

Another thing that makes Snow Lake the best hike near Seattle is that you also have the option to camp there! Almost all of the other popular hikes near Seattle that I can think of are day use only. That means that Snow Lake can be your final destination, but it can also be the beginning of a much longer adventure in the area.

• Backcountry camping is permitted at Snow Lake only at designated sites within 1/2-mile of the lake.
• There is a primitive toilet available just before reaching the lake. You will see signs for the toilet on the trial. Pit toilets aren’t always appealing, and I understand the temptation to go elsewhere, but please use the designated privy! We don’t want the entire area turning into a landmine of human feces. Trust me, that would be way grosser.
• Fires are not permitted in the Snow Lake Basin or above 4000 feet.
• An overnight Wilderness Permit must be filled out at the trailhead and carried for the duration of your trip. Max group size is 12.

Snow Lake Sounds Amazing. What’s the Catch?

You know the old adage that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is? Well, that’s not exactly true in the case of Snow Lake, but there is a catch of sorts. Given Snow Lake’s close proximity to Seattle, relative ease, and shimmering alpine lake goodness, it’s not surprising that Snow Lake gets CROWDED. In fact, it is the most frequented hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Locals even joke that it’s the “superhighway” of the wilderness. The truth is, if you show up on a sunny weekend, parts of the trail are going to resemble a queue.

I know from experience that this is a popular trail, and I set my expectations accordingly. Perhaps that’s why the crowds have never really bothered me. I kind of like seeing everyone out enjoying a little slice of nature. But if it’s solitude you’re after, then this trail may not be your cup of tea. That being said, if you show up early or on a weekday, you won’t need to share the trail with nearly as many people. Otherwise, bring your patience and a friendly smile, and leave behind preconceived notions about what a wilderness experience should look like. There’s plenty of beauty up here for everyone!

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace provides a framework for enjoying the outdoors while leaving the smallest possible footprint. The goal is to respect the places we play and leave a location in the same state (or better) than you found it. The next people to visit shouldn’t be able to tell you were there! The Leave No Trace principles include: 

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces (aka stay on the trail) 
• Dispose of Waste Properly (use the provided pit toilets)
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impact (campfires are not permitted around Snow Lake)
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

I hope you enjoyed this post about the best hike near Seattle! Obviously, this is just my opinion and there are so many beautiful hikes in the area other than Snow Lake that I still haven’t done. But as the saying goes, some places are popular for a reason. If you want to throw a different hike into the “Best Hike Near Seattle” debate, let me know in the comments! I’m always curious which hikes you are loving.

Happy Trails!

Jess

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