Summer Lake Hikes Near Snoqualmie Pass (That Aren’t Snow Lake)
The Snow Lake trail is certainly no secret to Washington hikers. According to the Forest Service, it’s hiked more than any other trail in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
That's no surprise — the reward for a relatively short climb is a beautiful alpine lake encircled with magnificent peaks. And it's easy to extend your hike to Gem Lake and Lower Wildcat Lake, or plan a backpacking trip to the remote Upper Wildcat Lake. (Please note that campfires at not allowed in alpine lake basins. If you're unsure whether campfires are permitted at your camp, err on the side of caution and avoid making one.)
Luckily, there are plenty of nearby trails that offer the same things hikers love about Snow Lake.
If you're looking for a hike that will give you similar length and elevation gain, beautiful alpine lakes or great backpacking trails, there are several options to choose from.
Classic Alpine Lakes
Melakwa Lake
Length: 8.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2700 feet
Melakwa Lake in August. Photo by Outside Nancy.
If you’re looking for that special teal alpine lake color, hike over to Melakwa Lake. Although the hike starts right next to I-90, you’ll soon find yourself deep in the wilderness, where you’ll encounter features like the natural Denny Creek Water Slide, Keekwulee Falls, Denny Creek and Hemlock Pass. When you reach the lake, take a break while you take in that alpine blue.
Melakwa Lake is a popular hike in summer, so consider carpooling to the trailhead. Please camp only at designated campsites, and that lakeside camping is not allowed.
Fun fact: “Melakwa” in Chinook for “mosquito” and the lake is certainly appropriately named, so if you’re out there on a hot day, bring your bug spray!
> Plan your visit to Melakwa Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide
Lake Lillian
Length: 9.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
Lake Lillian in October. Photo by Diplomapster.
Lake Lillian is the hike you want if you’re seeking diverse terrain on a hike that ends at a clear alpine lake. There are two ways to get to the lake; one way goes past Twin Lakes, a path that will provide plenty of both elevation gain and loss.
The trail goes from abandoned logging road to clear cut areas, and ends at the lake, a great place to stop and rest or camp for the night. The lake is surrounded by tree-covered peaks, and on a clear day, Mount Rainier can be seen in the distance.
Please be sure to park in the parking lot, and do not park alongside the road.
> Plan your visit to Lake Lillian using WTA's Hiking Guide
Pratt Lake Basin
Length: 11.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
Pratt Lake Basin in September. Photo by Rachelklloyd.
The Pratt Lake Basin trail is great for all sorts of activities, as the trail is very well-maintained and quite wide. Runners, hikers and backpackers of all experience levels are sure to find what they’re hoping for here.
With several offshoots to other hiking destinations along the way, this trail also gives hikers many options to visit other destinations, lengthen their hike or use the lake basin as a base camp to do more day-hiking in the area. Please camp only at designated campsites, and that lakeside camping is not allowed.
> Plan your visit to Pratt Lake Basin using WTA's Hiking Guide
Similarly-Sized Day Hikes
Margaret Lake
Length: 6.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
Margaret Lake in July. Photo by trailtails.
Hike through thick forest to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, where you can spend the afternoon relaxing or the night camping at Margaret Lake. The hike itself is not as long as many other hikes on this list, but rewards you with a calm lake at the end all the same. The trail is well-maintained and graded, with many switchbacks.
You can also continue on this trail to Lake Lillian, if you’d like to extend your hike.
Please be sure to park in the parking lot, and do not park alongside the road.
> Plan your visit to Margaret Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide
Mirror Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
Length: 7.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1180 feet
Mirror Lake in July. Photo by thenomadicartist.
Do a short stint of the Pacific Crest Trail to Mirror Lake. With a relatively mellow grade, this is a great trail for both the summer hiker or the new backpacker. The trail goes through forest, and has plenty of wildlife and plant life to see along your hike. The lake has good campsites for you to set up and relax by the water.
Be prepared for mosquitoes to be annoying in the summer; the hike is worth it, but the mosquitoes will definitely make themselves known.
> Plan your visit to Mirror Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) using WTA's Hiking Guide
Cold Creek Loop via Tinkham and Silver Peaks
Length: 8.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 2600 feet
Twin Lakes on the Cold Creek Loop in July. Photo by BallardRunner.
Unlike most trails on this list, the lakes featured in the Cold Creek Loop are near the beginning of the hike, rather than at the end. Enjoy Twin Lakes early on in the hike before the trail becomes brushy and primitive for a while. You’ll get respite after that difficult-to-navigate section as the next section of the trail is along the well-maintained Pacific Crest Trail.
If you want to extend your hike, you can take a steep side trip to Silver Peak, visible from the PCT part of the loop.
> Plan your visit to Cold Creek Loop via Tinkham and Silver Peaks using WTA's Hiking Guide
Remote Lakes
Lila Lake
Length: 11.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2800 feet
Lila Lake in September. Photo by Rustin.
Get two for the price of one on this hike. After a steep climb, you’ll hit Rachel Lake in about 3.5 miles, which is the perfect place for a break or even to end your hike, as the lake is beautiful with a lot of space to hang out or camp at.
If you choose to continue to Lila Lake, you’ll continue to get higher views of Rachel Lake for a while. The descent to Lila Lake is steep when you reach it, but you’ll be rewarded with another lake to hang out at, with plenty of campsites if you’re hoping to backpack in for the weekend.
If you’d like to extend your hike or day hike on a backpacking trip, Rampart Lakes is a great option.
> Plan your visit to Lila Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide
Thompson Lake via Granite Creek Trail
Length: 14.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3400 feet
Thompson Lake in July. Photo by AuntieQueenBee.
You’ve got a high chance of finding solitude along the Granite Creek Trail to Thompson Lake, as many hikers head to Granite Lakes instead. The trail to Thompson Lake is overall mostly smooth but can be relatively primitive in places.
No rest for the weary on this hike, with a long and constant climb to a ridge close to the lake, where the trail then steeply drops hundreds of feet down to the lakeshore. With trees on both sides of you for a large part of the hike, the trail throws you into the wilderness, and you will likely find peace and quiet here.
> Plan your visit to Thompson Lake via Granite Creek Trail using WTA's Hiking Guide
Island Lake - Rainbow Lake
Length: 11.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3000 feet
Island Lake in July. Photo by ruddyman.
Although the start of the trail to Island Lake and Rainbow Lake may have you thinking you’ll be surrounded by people all day, most hikers are likely headed to other lakes nearby that aren’t as far into the wilderness. This trail is also popular with trail runners.
Throughout your hike, enjoy views of other alpine lakes and Mount Rainier. When you reach the lakes, a path allows you to go back and forth between the lakes if you’d like to take in the view at both of them before returning to the trailhead.
> Plan your visit to Island Lake - Rainbow Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide
If you want to search for other Snow Lake alternatives or add to your hikes-to-do list, check out our hiking guide or use our hike recommender, which can give you personalized hike suggestions. And if you end up on any of these hikes or find a great one of your own, make sure to write a trip report to let others know about recent conditions.