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Snow Lake Trail

Packwood, Washington

3.8/5
based on 4 reviews

Details

Distance

2.12 miles

Elevation Gain

427 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Michael Matti

Camp on a beautiful lake. You'll be at one of the two available campsites. Hike through wildflowers to reach the lake. 2.6 miles roundtrip.

Snow Lake is a beautiful lake in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. You can do the 2.6 mile roundtrip hike to the lake as either a day trip or as a backcountry camp. To camp at one of the two sites on the lake you must secure a permit from the permit office at Longmire.

The hike to the sites does have some elevation gain (700ft) as it goes up and down a few small hills. The hike also goes through a few fields of wildflowers. If you go when they are in bloom this is a beautiful hike. Watch out for bears on the hike as well as at the lake. On my trip there I saw a bear on the hike in and then later that day near the lake.To keep your camp safe from bears at night be sure to use the bear pole that is between the two campsites.

You are welcome to swim in the pristine waters of Snow Lake if you dare to face the cold; the water is quite chilly.

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Features

Camping
Photography
Backpacking
Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
Lake
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Swimming Hole

Snow Lake Trail Reviews

Beautiful short/ not too long of a hike good with kids ( my daughter just turned 9 and son 2 almost 3) lots of stairs made out of logs/wood but so many bugs! Continuously sprayed my kids and myself with bug spray and still lots of bugs. Beautiful lake and beautiful view thankfully we got there semi early but by the time we left parking area completely full.

It was beautiful!!!

Highly recommend this in the fall too! Beautiful colors, and wouldn't be too bad with a little snow on the ground. Definitely make the detour to Bench lake and walk counter-clockwise to see some awesome reflections of Mt. Rainier in the lake! This is such an easy day hike to add to a day of exploring in the Paradise area!

The first backpacking trip I went on aftery busy with day hikers, but only a couple of other backpackers when we went in late June. I think the snow & nearly completely iced lake kept people away.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

Lakes Trail Loop

Explore Reflection Lakes

Backpack the Wonderland Trail

Snowshoe to Panorama Point Mount Rainier National Park

Snowshoe or Ski to Mazama Ridge