Glasses Lake is an add on destination from Heather Lake (#1526) near Lake Wenatchee.
This is a beautiful small lake tucked immediately under Grizzly Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Where Heather Lake is often shared with a number of hiking and camping groups, you are pretty much assured to have lunch by yourself at Glasses. Only a half-dozen trip reports have been filed in the last decade, this is a good predictor of solitude.
From the east end of Heather Lake, cross the large log jam at the outlet stream, left from the big swimming ledge when looking at the lake from the Heather Lake trail. Once across the logs, proceed along the south shore of the lake, following a well-established fisherman’s trail. You will cross a small stream coming down the valley from the south. This is the outlet stream from Glasses Lake.
Look for an old "no campfires" sign, as the trail up to Glasses runs right
by this sign. The trail tread is faint, as is appropriate for a trail that sees minimal traffic.
In addition to the faded tread, the trail is marked with blazes and occasional survey tape. It is not hard to follow. You will climb steadily up and be rewarded when you arrive at the lakes edge.
Note: The only way to access Glasses Lake is via Heather Lake, so while it is only 1.5 miles from the larger, more popular lake, a roundtrip hike to Glasses Lake is 10 miles from the trailhead and back.
Glasses Lake
47.8762,
-121.0409
Map & Directions
-
Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,682 feet
This is a beautiful small lake tucked immediately under Grizzly Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Where Heather Lake is often shared with a number of hiking and camping groups, you are pretty much assured to have lunch by yourself at Glasses. Only a half a dozen trip reports have been filed in the last decade, this is a good predictor of solitude.
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Hiking Glasses Lake
Map & Directions
Trailhead
Before You Go
Parking Pass/Entry Fee
Northwest Forest PassWTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.
Getting There
From Seattle, drive Highway 2 to the signed turn for FR 6700 (Smithbrook Road), 3.5 miles east of Stevens Pass. Be cautious crossing the westbound lanes of Highway 2 as you make this turn. Once on gravelled Smithbrook Road, proceed 12.5 miles to to the junction with FR 6701, and make a sharp left heading back to the west. Follow Road 6701 for 4.7 miles, then turn left on FS 400 and proceed roughly a half a mile to the trailhead parking area.
From Leavenworth, proceed west on Highway 2 to Coles Corner, 15 miles west of Leavenworth. Turn right onto the Lake Wenatchee Highway (WA 207), and follow it past Lake Wenatchee until it ends, roughly 12 miles. Here, there is a bus turnaround and a gate where the road is closed in the winter. At this point the road becomes the Little Wenatchee River Road. Continue west for just under 5 miles to a left on FS 6700. The road becomes unpaved. Cross the bridge and proceed 500 yards to a right turn on 6701. Follow 6701 for 4.7 miles, then make a left on FS 400 and drive about a half a mile to the trailhead parking area.
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