Lunch at Blanca Lake

As noted in the picture up above, the road leading to Blanca Lake's trailhead is closed due to a washout, adding roughly 4 miles to the total, making this an 11.5 mile roundtrip hike.  I recommend getting there early to avoid the afternoon heat which will only add to the burn your legs are going to feel.  With that being said, please be kind to your feet and don't do this one in Nike's, it's not that kind of hike and should be taken seriously; your feet will thank you for the support.

Be sure to stop and register at the information board just past the gate closing off the road to the TH.  In addition, there are a pair of garbage container boxes here that you can use on the way out for any trash from the trail. 

On your way to the true trailhead, the road will be wide enough for a car and a half, with slight incline as you slowly gain elevation.  This extra bit is the most annoying portion of the trail since it's relatively "flat" compared to much of the rest of the hike and it always seems to drag by on the return trip.  You will reach a split in the road where you will make a final steep but short climb up the hill on the left, bringing you to the trailhead markers.  There is a typical toilet located up here, however, I didn't investigate the conditions to determine if there is any maintenance of it.  There are remnants of an old informationless information board with a picnic table as you enter the forest at the far end of the parking lot. 

As you enter the forest, you will begin with a gradual incline until you round the first bend to start the serious work.  If you haven't done so already, mentally prepare yourself for the many, many, (30 or so) switchbacks you will have to push through.  This is hard hike: go slow, pace yourself, and take lots of breaks.  The trail is very apparent so don't worry about getting lost, just be prepared for exposed earth such as tree roots, boulders, and rocky areas. 

After what feels like forever later, you will start to get a visual of more and more sky peeking through the forest growth as you climb the ever increasing incline.  The environmental marker I like to use that indicates you are almost there is the blueberry bushes that will appear on both sides of the trail.  You are almost to the meadows, camp grounds, toilets, and -of course- more blueberry bushes. This ridge line and Virgin Lake are the only legal camping spot area. There is no camping within 200 feet of Blanca Lake basin, and violation of this restriction will be fined a hefty $125.

I always like to give myself an extra 30 minutes or so to take advantage of the tiny, free antioxidant treats.  These bushes will be present the rest of the way through the meadows until you begin your descent down to Virgin Lake.  What is left of the old sign indicating the entrance into the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness can be found at the beginning of this downhill section.  There are several backcountry toilets on the last half of the trail, one near the end of the camping area and another one at your final destination. 

As you make your descent down, you come to the first lake of the hike. Virgin Lake is a small stagnant lake that has no inlet or outlet and is made solely of rain water and snow melt.  Follow along the east side of the shore and continue down the trail at a steady decline. You will come across a set of man-made stairs and that signal you are nearing the first glimpse of Blanca Lake. 

Without any warning or further ado you will pass a bush on the trail and catch the first look of what's to come.  The mesmerizing glacial blue shine that Blanca Lake produces will try to pull you off trail, but please respect the new growth and stay ON the trail until you reach the lake.  Use this jaw dropping site as motivation to power towards the lake; she's much prettier up close and personal. 

Once you reach the lake, explore the shore to the rocky area on the east side to set up, relax, and dig into a well deserved lunch.  Head further east on the shore and you'll reach the outlet which the silty lake water escapes from.  There is a very thin, unofficial branch which serves as the "bridge" to continue traveling around to the western side of the lake.  If you don't have the balance or you don't feel confident crossing it, don't- there are still plenty of great spots to pick from on the shoreline near the trail.

If you are brave enough, I would definitely take the plunge and jump in to get a feel for the wonderful cold relief your body so desperately craves. The water is very cloudy, but only because of the mineral silt that is washed down from the visible glacier on the north end of the lake.

I would advise making this trip on a weekday to avoid crazy crowds, and starting early to enjoy an entire afternoon at Blanca.  After all you had to go through to get there, it would be a sin to only indulge in Blanca's beauty for a moment.