Outbound Collective logo

Rachel DavidsonExplorer

When I'm not embarking on human-powered adventures, I'm writing about them. Say hi to me the next time you're in Seattle!

Like so many alpine lakes in this region, these photos don't do this place justice. Lyman Lakes is an awesome day hike and camping opportunity for folks looking for sprawling meadows, towering peaks, and turquoise-tinted water. Don't stop at Lyman - make sure you head to the end of the valley at Cloudy Pass (just a mile or two past Upper Lyman Lake) for panoramic views of Spider Gap and its neighboring massif.

This trail offers a deeply intimate perspective of the Glacier Peak Wilderness without going too far out there. Just off of Hwy 2, I'm surprised we didn't run into more groups on our 2.5-day trip through this loop. Our group unanimously agreed that the most underrated section of this trip was Cloudy Pass, a place I can't wait to visit again. We also tagged the summit of Fortress Mountain on the northwest side of the loop, which I would highly recommend for experienced and enthusiastic parties.

Beginning this adventure from the Jack Lake Trailhead makes it much more accessible for slower hikers and younger children, as compared to beginning on the PCT side of Three Fingered Jack. Try to go in the spring or early summer when wild flowers are in full bloom, and to avoid the fires that plague this area in the late summer months.