Hello everyone!
It’s time for another round up of my seasonal hiking recaps! If you’re new to my blog, welcome and I hope this post gives you some great ideas for your next hiking adventure in Washington! Every year I do a recap of my favorite hiking/outdoor adventures for each season of the year. You can find more recaps under Categories; Hiking; Pacific Northwest Hikes if you’re looking for some trail recommendations. Summer is my absolute favorite season and I tend to go on the most adventures during this time, so I’m excited to finally be recapping my favorite summer 2019 hikes! This list is a little smaller than normal but this is because we were overseas for a month this summer. This hike only features hikes around Washington but if you’re curious about some other hikes we did be sure to check out my Thailand and Sri Lanka series as well! Also, to my regular readers, I’m so sorry this post has been so delayed, there was so much going on this past summer and fall but I hope you enjoy this list!
(*Disclaimer: I want my opinions and photos to inspire you but please still do thorough research on your own before heading out to the trails. Most of my fellow Washingtonians know this website but for anyone who doesn’t and those who are not from Washington and are visiting the area, I highly encourage you to look up all of these hikes on the Washington Trails Association website or All Trails and always try to read several of the most recent trip reports you can find to get a feel of the most current conditions! Also remember to practice Leave No Trace principles! *)
Minotaur Lake
This was one of my favorite hikes this summer but it is definitely a leg burner! You will endure approximately 1400 feet of vertical gain in less than a mile and a total of 1905 feet gain in only a mile and a half. The whole hike is approximately 3.5 miles round trip but don’t be fooled into thinking this will be an easy walk in the park because of that. To be honest, the trail itself wasn’t super enjoyable either in terms of scenery as you’re just going up a root-y forest (and not a very impressive forest either) but once you break out of the trees it does get a little better. It’s all worth it though because you will be spoiled with two absolutely gorgeous alpine lakes to explore and relax at when you reach the end. Minotaur Lake is most likely where you will swim if it’s warm enough and we saw some people setting up camp around the lake. On the day we went it was sunny but not exactly swimming weather warm so unfortunately we didn’t get to jump in. The lake is moderate sized though and it’s fun to walk around and to find a quiet spot to enjoy the scenery. The second lake you’ll get to see is Theseus Lake and if you take a little loop to the right when you first arrive to the opening of Minotaur Lake you’ll get an epic viewpoint of Theseus lake. I did read on trip reports that it’s possible to scramble down below to Theseus Lake but it doesn’t seem easy. You can also continue hiking an additional mile up to Labyrinth Mountain. According to the WTA website there is no pass needed for this trail.
Ptarmigan Ridge/Goat Lake
The Mount Baker Wilderness has a plethora of incredibly beautiful trails with expansive scenery and diverse landscapes. I have been trying to do more trails in this area as well as other areas of the North Cascades (Hwy 20 area) but the drive time is pretty far from Tacoma (approximately 4 hours one way, usually a little more depending on traffic and conditions). I am slowly checking off the trails in this area though and this trail did not disappoint! I picked this hike because of the diverse ridgeline views and the up-close view of the east side of Mt. Baker. Ptarmigan Ridge actually shares a trail head with the Chain Lakes Loop too (at least one of the loop options) which is another popular trail in the area. I also saw a sign in the parking lot for Artist Point as well so either way you’re in a pretty central location for your fill of Mt. Baker area hikes. When we started the hike it was a foggy morning but you could still see some of the surrounding landscapes and the fog made for some really cool pictures. Closer to the end of the trail the fog started to clear and we were spoiled with in your face views of Mt. Baker. As we were returning to the car the trail really started clearing up and we were fortunate to also see how the trail looks like on a sunny clear day. The scenery was expansive and stunning.
We also made a detour to Goat Lake which is a vibrant turquoise green lake that you can see from the main trail. We actually couldn’t see it at all when it was foggy and we were hoping that we were going the right direction as there was no clear signage and the path wasn’t easy to follow. Luckily we did find the lake and it was well worth the effort! It was really beautiful and we were the only ones there. The fog was unfortunately covering the view of Mt. Baker that you would normally get from the lake and the water wasn’t quite as vibrant without the sun shining directly on it but it was still a very pretty and peaceful detour. The hike back up is pretty steep though so keep this in mind. Once we got back to the main trail the fog had completely cleared and we could see the lake again. I know that sometimes people camp down there and I think it would be an epic spot to have to yourself! The Ptarmigan Ridge trail was approximately 9 miles round trip and with the lake detour we hiked just a little over 12 miles round trip that day. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking.
Lake Ingalls
This is a very popular hike in the Alpine Lakes WIlderness and for good reason. The lake is huge and a beautiful deep blue color with an epic view of Mt. Stuart in the background. The trail starts off with a steady climb up through the Teanaway valley and never really lets up but the trail was never boring filled with views of the Esmeralda Peaks, large rugged brown rocky meadows, and beautiful forestland. If you’re lucky you might even get to see goats on the trail! I saw many trip reports that got to see some goats but we unfortunately did not. However, if you do encounter any wildlife always be sure to give them space and to let them be.
As mentioned earlier, this trail is very popular so expect a lot of people in the summer and fall. We made sure to arrive very early but we still saw a lot of people on the trail, moreso on the way back though. If you’re looking for a good introduction of alpine lakes in Washington this is a great first trail to make you appreciate what Washington state has to offer. Colchuck Lake in the Leavenworth area is my all time favorite lake hike so far but this is a close runner-up! The mileage is approximately 9 miles round trip. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for parking.
Plains of Abraham
I love the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument area so much and believe it is such a highly underrated area. This trail was such a pleasant surprise although it wasn’t our intended destination. We actually had intended to hike to Loowit Falls but I unfortunately forgot to screenshot trip reports that indicated which direction to take when you reach the junction after walking along the road. You are supposed to take a right even though there is no clear signage that says it leads to Loowit Falls and we ended up taking the left because the sign said “Loowit Trail” and well, we thought Loowit Falls, Loowit Trail…makes sense right?! Unfortunately no but we’ll be back for Loowit Falls hopefully this coming spring or summer. Anyways! This trail was still a lot of fun and the landscapes were super unique and seriously breathtaking! There was also hardly anyone on this trail so the solitude made it even more enjoyable.
You’ll start off on an epic ridgeline with views all around you. Unfortunately on the day we went, Mt. St. Helens did not want to come out from behind the clouds which is a shame because this area is probably the closest view you can get of the mountain without climbing it. We hope next time we go for Loowit Falls that we’ll get lucky with the mountain view. There was also an abundance of colorful wildflowers on this trail in the summertime and as we continued on and reached the plains it truly felt like we were in a martian landscape. It was definitely a very eerie feeling but also such a cool experience. There is actually another junction further along this trail that leads you to Loowit Falls in approximately 3 miles but it’s a very steep and sketchy trail with a lot of washouts and is very hard to follow even with the cairn markers. We attempted it but ultimately decided to back out. Our total mileage clocked to approximately 10 miles. I definitely recommend this trail though if you’ve already done Loowit Falls. The parking lot is also where you park to hike the short Windy Ridge Viewpoint so you could combine this as well. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed.
Skyline Trail Loop
This is a very popular loop trail in the Paradise area of Mt. Rainier National Park and for good reason. The trail is very well maintained and has amazing views and changing scenery throughout. Of course you are also spoiled with wonderful views of Mt. Rainier throughout most of the trail. In the summertime the trail is bursting with wildflowers but since we went at the end of September the meadows were just starting to change colors and it was a delightful mix of summer meets fall. I would rate the trail difficulty as moderate and it does have a steady climb up. Also, if you’re looking for solitude then this isn’t the trail for you but to me it was definitely worth dealing with the crowds because every single step on the trail was filled with so much beauty. We started really early which helped us avoid the worst of the crowds and we were blessed with a very sunny and super clear day. A lot of people end up turning back around at Panorama Point but I highly recommend completing the whole loop if you can! Total mileage is approximately 5.5 miles round trip. A National Park Pass is required or paying the day fee at the gate.
Van Trump Park
Here’s another great trail within Mt. Rainier National Park and although you don’t get views of Mt. Rainier until the end you do get to enjoy a couple beautiful waterfalls along the way. Comet Falls is a very popular waterfall in the park and you’ll get to pass this beautiful gem while headed to Van Trump Park. The whole trail is actually pretty shady and forested which is great on a hot summer day and there is so much greenery surrounding you. Once you reach the end of the trail you’ll enter a gorgeous vibrant green meadow full of Avalanche Lily. This is also where you’ll get views of Mt. Rainier. I would recommend continuing on past where the trail is unmaintained, at least for a little bit where the meadow and views of the mountain are even more extravagant. We were lucky to be the only ones here that morning and it was so serene. Total mileage for the trail is approximately 6 miles round trip and a National Park Pass is needed (or paying the day fee). I would definitely recommend arriving early because parking at the trail head is very limited and since people also hike Comet Falls from here you should definitely anticipate for it to fill up quickly.
Bench and Snow Lakes
This is a short hike that we added on to our day after we completed the Skyline Trail Loop. Much to our surprise it was actually harder than we had anticipated. The trail has a lot of steep climbs and the trail is constantly going up and down which got pretty tiring and was a bit hard on the knees so don’t let the short mileage fool you! You get to enjoy two lakes on this trail though so the pay-off is great for the short (but steep) mileage. We first went down to Bench Lake and the trail down is a steep drop and was pretty un-maintained, eroded, root-y, and muddy when we went. The lake itself isn’t super pretty but you get a great view of Mt. Rainier and the reflection of the mountain off the lake is just as good as Reflection Lakes and without the crowds. We were the only ones here that afternoon and it was very quiet and peaceful. We then went back up and proceeded to Snow Lake which in my opinion was much prettier than Bench Lake. There’s no view of the mountain here but the lake is a very beautiful turquoise color. There are a couple camping sites around the lake that you need a permit for and I feel like it would be a super quiet place to camp in the park. Total mileage for this trail is 2.5 miles round trip. A National Park Pass is needed or pay the day fee.
Lenore Lake Caves/Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park/Lake Roosevelt
We normally do a couple hikes in Central and Eastern Washington in the spring time when we are looking to escape snow and rain and also before the summer heat comes around which can make those trails unbearable. We rented a cabin on Labor Day weekend in Northeastern Washington so we decided to make a few stops along the way. Lenore Lake Caves is a great spot to get out of the car to stretch your legs and it definitely beats your average rest stop. There is a bathroom here as well so stopping here to use it and to enjoy the caves was an easy decision. The trail is very short (1.5 miles round trip) and you get a great view of Lenore Lake and the surrounding desert landscape. The caves were created during the Great Missoula Floods and according to the WTA website Native Americans used the caves as shelter after and they are still used today as a sacred area and gathering ground. There are 7 shallow caves to explore along the trail but my favorite was the biggest one which is what most of my pictures below consist of. We also stopped at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park which I also recommend. According to my research the former falls used to be approximately 5 times bigger than Niagara Falls! Lastly, we stopped at Lake Roosevelt which in my opinion is much pretty from above at a viewpoint versus right at the shores. The shoreline is pretty muddy and the park we went to also had a lot of bird excrement on the shore. I wouldn’t really recommend swimming here unless you have a boat and can go further into the lake but the lake does have a very beautiful blue color.
I’ve also included pictures of the cabin we rented on Labor Day weekend. It’s a green friendly cabin with solar power and hydro power and was very secluded on 1,600 private acres. Definitely a fun spot for couples or families as there is an additional bunkhouse for kids. Link below:
I thought I’d add in a few pictures of some of my favorite lakes in the area that you can drive to as well. We always try to stop at these lakes in the summertime! Lakes pictured are Alder, Cushman, and Lake Crescent. I also really like Lake Wenatchee!
I hope this list gives you some great inspo for your next summer adventure! Let me know in the comments if you’ve done any of these hikes or hope to soon! Also don’t forget to check out some other hiking recaps below:
Until next time,
Kelsie