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Alpinejo.tripod.com: Backcountry Trails Guide
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Washington Backcountry Trails

Trailhead Sign

 

Alaska Lake

Alaska Lake

Definition of terms below

Location: Snoqualmie Pass
Directions: On I-90, take the Hyak exit 54, go under I-90 and follow the gravel road around until you get to the gate, then walk down the gated road and you will see the sign to the lakes. 
Difficulty:  Strenuous only the last accent to the lake
Elevation +/- 2000 ft elevation gain
Distance: 11+ Miles Roundtrip
Rating: 6 out of 10
Fishing: poor
Scenery: great, big mountains surrounding it 
Map: Printable Topo Map

 

Alaska Lake is well worth a weekend visit. This adventure starts of walking down a gated gravel road then it leads you into the trees for most of the trip. It is a nice stroll, the evergreens smelled ever so pleasant in the morning fog.

After a few miles you hit the creek, not too big but too big to jump over. Look around for a fallen log or do as most decide to--take off your shoes and socks and walk fast because this water is liquid snow. There will be a couple more small creeks to cross but you can jump over them.

This trail is easy until you get to the junction of Joe Lake and Alaska Lake. I chose to go to Alaska Lake, it is straight up through the alder trees. Just plain miserable when the trees are wet. Take a couple of breaks because it does not get any easier until you crest the top and see the lake--nothing like bushwhacking in Washington!

I was the only one who crossed the creek down below this weekend so I had the lake to myself (I met several parties giving up at the creek crossing on Sunday morning, they could not believe I would walk through the freezing cold calf deep water). 

I spent the afternoon collecting wood for that evenings fire and I spent the rest of the day reading God's word and soaking in all the beauty. I believe that Kendal's Catwalk is just above Alaska Lake, the huge boulder field was home to a family of mountain goats. I heard the rocks falling and had to go and investigate--goats.

Fishing-- put it this way, every time you finished reeling in the line you had to break the ice of the eyelets so you could cast out. I did not have any luck with catching but the fishing was an experience I won't forget.

 Do it again? Any time I have a chance



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