North Cascades, WA
Blue Lake Trail
Distance
4.4 mi
Elev. Gain
+1,050 ft
Time
2.5–3 hrs
Difficulty
Moderate
ModerateRocky switchbacks, alpine tundraDog-friendlyBest: July – October (larch peak: late Sep)
A classic sub-alpine lake hike in the Methow highlands with an extraordinary payoff: a cirque lake the color of glacial milk, ringed by larches that turn gold in late September and early October. The larch window is brief and the crowds reflect it — plan accordingly. Off-season, the trail is beautifully quiet.
Highlights
- Glacial-blue cirque lake at 6,254 ft
- Western larch gold-leaf display — best late September
- Liberty Bell mountain group on the ridgeline above
- North Cascades wildflower meadow on the approach
Trail tips
- →Larch season draws large crowds — go on a weekday or off-peak
- →Parking lot fills by 7 am on fall weekends; carpool or use a shuttle
- →Washington Discover Pass required at the trailhead
- →Snow lingers on the upper switchbacks into June — micro-spikes recommended
out-and-backlakealpinelarchdog-friendly
Done this trail?
Log your hike — date, distance, and notes — in your private SnowyKrish logbook.
Open my logbook →