Willow Lake Trail

The Willow Lake Trail is part of the East Bank Trail in the North Cascades National Park. Willow Lake is a small lake along the route and sits on the north end of Ross Lake, a hop, skip and jump from the Canadian border.

Hikers will have to start at the East Bank Trailhead along Highway 20 and walk nearly the entire eastern shore of Ross Lake before reaching Willow Lake. This part of the hike starts out in the forest before following right along the lake shore for many miles. After a little over 15 miles, the trail turns east and climbs up a valley on the Lightning Creek segment, which swings back to he west, trending towards the lake again and passing by Willow Lake. There is camping at the lake, but hikers need to get a backcountry camping permit to stay the night. Sidetrips along the way include Desolation Peak and Hozomeen Lake.