Lodge Lake

In the winter months, it can be a struggle to find a parking spot on the west side of the Summit at Snoqualmie. However, during hiking season, parking is abundant on the far western end of the lot at the trailhead for Lodge Lake.

Named fittingly for its proximity to the Snoqualmie Pass ski lodge, Lodge Lake offers a beautiful, leisurely hike to be enjoyed by day-tripping families and overnight backpackers alike. The trail begins under tree cover but shortly opens up into the vast, wildflower-covered ski hill passing underneath the chairlifts. Make sure to take the opportunity to admire the towering peaks across the way on the north side of I-90.

At the top of the lift hill, the trail briefly levels out and re-enters the forest before descending down a long, switchbacking path towards the lake. Views of Lodge Lake can be seen as you continue down but the trail continues east of the lake itself, as it is a section of the PCT. Be sure to look for a sign on the right-hand side of the trail as it levels off. If you reach a sign marking the route to Stampede Pass you have missed the junction.

Follow the junction on the right through multiple campsites down to the lakes edge. Here there are a number of open shoreline areas to enjoy the scenery. The trail continues around the right side of the lake but becomes increasingly overgrown the further it goes.

Though it would be difficult to navigate the full circumference of the lake due to the thick vegetation, there are plenty of accessible areas to find isolation as the lake is sparsely visited.