Snow Lake and Annette Lake Trails to Close for Several Months

** 7/11/2022 Update: The Annette Lake closure has been postponed to July 15. The Snow Lake closure has been postponed to July 29 **

The Annette Lake and Snow Lake trails, popular hikes along the I-90 corridor, will be closed for several months due to trail construction work. The Snow Lake closure will also affect the lesser-hiked Source Lake trail. 

The Annette Lake trail was scheduled to close beginning the week of July 5. The Snow Lake and Source Lake trails will be closed starting approximately July 16. Construction on the latter project will require explosives to get rid of some rockier trail segments, and will also level out sections of trail that are too steep.

Both projects require use of potentially-dangerous tools, so in the interest of safety, these trails will not be open to the public during construction. The Forest Service expects to finish both projects by October. 

Snow Lake Trail will be closed for most of the summer, along with Annette Lake and Source Lake trails. Photo by Daniel Rice.

The Forest Service projects focus on improving both trails, and the trail improvements are made possible by funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). The act provides $503 million dollars to address deferred maintenance issues on popular trails such as Snow Lake and Annette Lake. 

Alex Weinberg, recreation manager on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, is excited about this new funding and how it supports improvement projects for local outdoor recreation areas. Alex says the GAOA funding came at an opportune time; trails that have needed care to stand up to the number of visitors they receive can finally get it. 

“Many of our trails and trailheads were not built to withstand this type of use,” Alex said. “The investments we are making at popular trails such as Snow Lake and Annette Lake are extremely valuable because the work is intended to correct areas that are prone to erosion, repair grade issues, and in general bring these areas to a standard that can absorb the type of use we are experiencing so that the public can continue to enjoy these areas year after year without compromising natural resources.”

During the pandemic, Alex says land managers saw the enthusiasm Washingtonians have for the outdoors by how often they were on the trails. He hopes that by completing these trail construction projects, the trails will continue to last.

“As land managers, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is extremely excited to be given the opportunity to improve these and other facilities over the next few years so that we can provide the best possible experience to all visitors for many years to come,” Alex said. “As a valued partner, we are also excited to be partnering with WTA on various projects as well!”

While WTA won't be working on the Snow Lake or Annette Lake projects, we're working all over Washington this summer. Take a look at our work party schedule to join us somewhere on trail this year.

WTA has also previously done trail work on both Annette Lake, seen here, and Snow Lake trails. We won't be working on these Forest Service projects, but we have plenty of volunteer opportunities for those seeking trail work this summer. Photo by Tony Kim.

If any of these trails were on your to-do list, all is not lost, and WTA can help you plan your summer. Check out our suggestions for hikes like Snow Lake, look through our hiking guide to find other hikes for your hiking season or use our hike recommender, which can suggest personalized hikes for you.