One of the most jaw-dropping lakes in Washington is located in the Central Cascades, Jade Lake. The brilliant turquoise water of Jade Lake is glacier-fed and surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. The best part? You can spend a night (or two) with epic views of this incredible lake from your tent.

But, you don’t just get incredible views of one alpine lake on this trail; you also pass Marmot Lake, another exceptional alpine lake.

If you’re looking for gorgeous lakes, flowery meadows, alpine forests, and craggy mountains, backpacking to Jade Lake is just the thing. However, getting to Jade Lake is no walk in the park. This is a strenuous, rocky trail with some mild scrambling.

If you’re up for the challenge, this post is for you! In this blog post, I will share everything you need to know before hitting the trail, what to bring, what to expect along the way, and how to make the most of your time at one of the best alpine lakes in the Pacific Northwest.

Why this blog? Hi! My name is Sarah, and I am a full-time teacher and part-time adventurer who utilizes every moment of free time to explore the best of Washington. I’ve been hiking, camping, and backpacking in Washington since 2018. You can find all the favorite spots on my Washington Map!

Just a heads up! This blog contains affiliate links, which means purchases made could result in a small kickback for me at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Your Adventure Guide to Backpacking Jade Lake

Jade Lake is unreal. I spent two years yearning to see the aquamarine waters after seeing them on Instagram, and I finally made my way up to this epic lake.

Here is why I think you should add Backpacking to Jade Lake and the trek to Dip Top Gap to your bucket list, as someone who found the trail a bit challenging.

• Four epic alpine lake views
• Gorgeous wildflower meadows and waterfalls
• Challenging but not technical
• While popular, you still feel secluded

Honestly, this trail was a bit of a stretch for me. After recovering from an abdominal surgery, I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready for something so challenging, but it was exactly what I needed to convince myself I was ready. I was prepared to challenge myself and get back out there, so keep in mind this post is coming from the perspective of someone who had intrusive abdominal surgery four months before completing this hike.

However, it was worth every minute of burning lungs and legs!

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Know Before You Go

In this section, I’ll cover everything you need to know about trail stats, permits and passes, getting to the trailhead, and any applicable regulations.

Trail Location

The trail to Marmot and Jade Lakes is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the ancestral lands of the Wenatchi, Yakama, and Snoqualmie peoples, among other Coast Salish and Interior Salish tribes. These indigenous communities have deep and ongoing connections to this land, its waters, wildlife, and sacred places.

We are grateful for the original stewards of this place and acknowledge the long history of care that has shaped these landscapes.

We are honored to be recognized as guests on this land and will treat it with care.

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead for Marmot and Jake Lake is located in Cle Elum at the Deception Pass Trailhead, up Salmon La Sac Road. Take Salmon La Sac Road for 10 miles before turning right onto Forest Service Road 4330. Take FS 4330 for 11 miles until you reach the trailhead.

Trailhead Facilities

The trailhead for Jade and Marmot Lakes is shared with a number of local trails, including the popular Tuke and Robin Lakes. There are some small parking lots near the trailhead; however, depending on the time of year, it is likely that side street parking will be required.

Pit toilets are available at the trailhead. My recommendation would be to bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Due to the popularity of the area, the bathroom will likely run out of TP before it is serviced again.

The parking lot gets crowded on the weekend, so anticipate parking on the side of the forest service road or closer to the Tucquala Meadows trailhead.

Permits for Jade Lake

You do not need advanced permits to stay overnight at Jade Lake; however, there are two permits you will need when you get to the trailhead: a Northwest Forest Pass and a Walk Up Permit.

Northwest Forest Pass

The Northwest Forest Pass is needed for anyone parking their car at a trailhead in a National Forest. National Forests are covered with an America the Beautiful Pass, but if you do not have one, a Northwest Forest Pass is required.

Northwest Forest Passes have an annual fee of $30 and can be used within any National Forest in Washington and Oregon. You can purchase a pass here.

America the Beautiful Passes are annual passes that grant access to all National Parks and Forests and have an annual fee of $80. You can purchase one here.

Walk-Up Permits

Jade Lake is located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area of Washington. You do not need advanced permits; however, you do need to fill out a walk-up permit upon arrival.

Walk-up permits help Forest Service staff understand the amount of traffic the area receives, allowing them to allocate appropriate funds accordingly. When people do not fill out these permits, an accurate headcount of the area cannot be completed.

If you are staying overnight in this area, PLEASE fill out the walk-up permit so the area can receive appropriate funding.

Pets

Pets are currently allowed in the area.

Pets should be leashed and picked up afterwards. The high alpine ecosystem is fragile and highly impacted by foot traffic, including dogs. Keep dogs on the trail.

When to hike to Jade and Marmot Lake?

Due to the high elevation of both Marmot and Jade Lake, this trail is best completed later in the summer when more of the trail is snow-free.

You should plan your backpacking trip between late July through September.

If you plan on completing the trail in June, expect cold nights, large snow patches, and minimal wildflower blooms.

Once you get into July, many of the snow patches will have melted, leaving behind lush meadows and blooming flowers. However, there will still be plenty of snow leading up to Dip Top Gap and Pea Soup Lake.

August can bring extremely dry conditions. Please keep an eye on wildfire conditions and active fires in the area.

As September approaches, inclement weather could occur, so be prepared for anything – rain, snow, hail, high winds, and lightning storms.

For the most up-to-date user-generated trail conditions, check out the trail reports section on Washington Trails Association.

Related Read: Backpacking to Spectacle Lake

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Gear Packing List for Jade Lake

For a comprehensive packing list for backpacking with budget and splurge gear options, check out this blog.

Here is a short and sweet list of the gear I brought with me to spend two nights at Jade Lake.

• Backpack: I’ve been using the Osprey Aura AG 65 for six years.
• Tent: My favorite free-standing tent is the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3, but I also love my single-person trekking pole tent by Durston.
• Sleeping Pad: For summer nights on the trail, I like the Sea to Summit Ether Lite.
• Sleeping Bag: I use the Sea to Summit Spark as a quilt by unzipping it completely.
• Pillow: A non-necessity, but I love my Nemo Elite Fillo Pillow.
• Kitchen: I bring the MSR Titan Pot, MSR Pocket Rocket, GSI Pot Scraper, and Sea to Summit Long Spork.
• Water Filter: I bring two, a filtering water bottle and a gravity filter.
• Water Bottle: Can’t go wrong with a Nalgene!
• First Aid Kit: Adventure Med Kits has different-sized first aid kits based on how long you’ll be on the trail.
• Headlamp: In the summer, I typically do not use my headlamp frequently since it is light in Washington until 9 pm, but they are an important safety item. I use the Black Diamond Spot.
• Battery Pack: An external battery is a must for charging electronics on the trail.
• Bear Canister: On Jade Lake, you need a bear canister to safely secure your food overnight.
• Bear Spray: Whenever bear-safe food storage is required on a trail, I always bring Bear Spray.
• GPS Device: We brought our Garmin InReach Mini in case of an emergency.

Don’t forget extra layers, toiletries, and any other gear you might need to be safe and comfortable on the trail!

I recommend hiking boots with good support and traction. The smaller boulder fields surrounding Marmot Lake and rocky terrain can be rough on your feet. I’ve been wearing Oboz Bridgers for years.

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Backpacking to Jade Lake

Backpacking to Jade Lake is just as challenging as it is rewarding. Anticipate rocky trails, scrambles, and the occasional backtracking to get back on the trail!

For this backpacking trip, my friend, Caitlynn, and I took three days and two nights. Both nights were spent at Jade Lake.

Trailhead to Hyas Lake

After getting yourself situated at the trailhead, you’ll find the start of the trail for Marmot and Jade lakes. To reach Marmot and Jade Lake, you will hike along the Deception Pass Trail for the first 4.7 miles of the route.

Once you get on the Deception Pass Trail, there will be a permit box. You will need to fill out the permit and attach the badge to someone in your group. Filling out these permits, while free, is a requirement and helps the Forest Service allocate funds to the area. Having a proper head count of the number of people using the trail is vital for proper funding.

You will begin a slow climb immediately after starting the trail as you walk through large salmon berry bushes and flowering Giant hogweed. It can become extremely overgrown in this area. It really gets your heart pumping before leveling out.

The trail is relatively flat for the first three miles. Walk across small streams and along a beautiful valley as you head further along.

The first lake you will come across on the hike is Hyas Lake at 2 miles.

Hyas Lake is a gorgeous, turquoise blue lake with plenty of campsites. It is a great overnight destination for beginner backpackers and young children. It is also a fantastic paddleboard location if you feel up to carrying your paddleboard.

Hyas Lake to the Pacific Crest Trail

Continuing past Hyas Lake, the trail remains pretty level for another mile as you hike along the Cle Elum River. Elevation gain for the trail begins about three miles from the trailhead. Your first switchback begins at 3.4 miles in.

The switchbacks vary significantly in length, grade, and footing. Some of the switchbacks are level dirt trails, while others are steep and rocky. This section of the trail is a solid indicator of what you can expect for the majority of the trail.

Eventually, you will reach the turn-off for Tuck and Robin Lakes. Once you climb above the valley, you can actually view the Tuck and Robin Lakes Basin from the Jade Lake Trail.

Continue walking along the Deception Pass Trail until you reach the trail sign for the PCT.

PCT to Marmot Lake

You will be hiking along the PCT for less than 0.1 miles before veering left to begin hiking on the Lake Clarice Trail.

At 5.7 miles into the trail, you will reach a small pond that is filled with frogs! This small pond on your right is one of the high points of the trail and marks your first descent into the valley. At an elevation of 4,760 feet, you will begin hiking down into the valley.

This gorgeous valley is covered in wildflowers and surrounded by cascading waterfalls. It is a great place for a small breather. The large stream crossing is a refreshing spot for filtering water.

After passing the large water crossing, you will continue your descent another 400 feet, bringing your total elevation loss to 700 feet.

Continue along the trail for some low-grade elevation gain until you reach the turn-off for Lake Clarice. Continue to the left to head to Marmot Lake. Marmot Lake is 0.6 miles from the Lake Clarice turn-off. Be on the lookout for a great view of Glacier Peak.

Marmot Lake is gigantic and surrounded by mountain peaks. It is a popular spot for fishing and camping. There are a few pit toilet options along the east side of the lake. However, Marmot Lake is extremely buggy. You will want to pack a headnet and bug spray if you plan to camp here.

The most effective mosquito deterrent is picaridin. I love this Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion.

Lake Clarice

If you decide to head to Lake Clarice, it is another 0.8 miles to get to the lake! Spending the night at Lake Clarice is an excellent option for people who plan to spend the night at Marmot Lake but can’t find a campsite.

If you’re staying at Marmot Lake and decide not to hike up to Jade Lake, you can always hike to Lake Clarice as a side trail since it is a short hike from Marmot Lake.

Read Next: West Fork Foss Lakes Trail

Marmot Lake to Jade Lake

To continue onto Jade Lake is a feat in and of itself. The hike along the Marmot Lakeshore is a doozy. The hike along the shoreline is rugged, and it’s sometimes easy to lose your way. You will find yourself climbing up and down steep trails, over large tree roots, and across boulder fields.

There are cairns to mark the way across the boulder fields; however, some of the cairns do not mark the official trail. IMO some of the cairns were probably set up by hikers and not the official national forest rangers.

After hiking past the edge of Marmot Lake, you will experience your first scramble at roughly 9.3 miles into the trail. In half a mile, you will gain 700 feet of elevation.

At 9.8 miles, you will reach No Name Lake. Here is the highest point of the trail. There are a few camp sites at No Name Lake. It is a great place to camp if there are no sites available at Jade Lake.

Walking past No Name Lake, you will complete a steep drop down into the Jade Lake Basin, where the brilliant blue of the lake will immediately strike you.

Jade Lake

Congrats! You’ve made it to the final destination of the trail. Camping at Jade Lake is limited. Many people will camp at Marmot Lake and either day hike to Jade Lake or pack up camp at Marmot Lake the next morning and move to Jade Lake to snag a spot that someone is leaving.

It is essential to camp only on established sites. Small disturbances to the high alpine ground cover cause significant damage.

The length of the lakefront is approximately 0.4 miles, with campsites dispersed throughout the area. So, just because campsites might be packed when you first arrive at the lake, take the trail to the left for more available sites. Some of them are hidden!

It took us seven hours to get from the trailhead to Jade Lake. The return trip from Jade Lake took us five hours.

Dip Top Gap and Pea Soup

One of the most beautiful places in Washington State is the view of Mount Daniel and Pea Soup Lake from Dip Top Gap in the Hozbizz Basin. Many people who backpack to Jade Lake do it in three days so that they can take a day trip to Dip Top Gap on day two.

From Dip Top Gap, you will see Lynch Glacier on Mount Daniel surrounding Pea Soup Lake.

To begin your trek up to Dip Top Gap, you will start at the south end of Jade Lake.

You can check snow levels and any avalanche danger on the NWAC website.

Jade Lake to Dip Top Gap

The distance to Dip Top Gap from Jade Lake is 1.2 miles. The elevation gain from Jade Lake to Dip Top Gap is about 1,100 feet.

To get to Dip Top Gap from Jade Lake, you will want to get an early start on the trail. This is especially important if snow remains on the boulder field leading up to the gap. It is a steep climb up to the gap regardless of whether there is snow or not.

In the first quarter of the hike up, we were climbing over loose rock, and trail finding was a challenge. The cairns marking the route are pretty spread apart. I would recommend hiking to a cairn and then stopping to spot the next cairn before continuing. Otherwise, you could end up getting off trail.

About a quarter into the trail, we left the boulder field and entered the snow field. Here we put our microspikes on so we had additional traction on the snow field. We reached the snow at about 9 am and the snow was already beginning to soften.

When hiking along large snow fields, listen for any cracking, shifting, or moaning of the snow. This is an indicator that the snow conditions are unsafe, and you should turn around.

Hiking up the snow, we took small steps and tried to follow the path that was already in the snow. Try to stay away from snow that is melting around boulders, since the snow melts significantly faster in those areas and you wouldn’t want to come across a snow bridge.

On the right of Dip Top Gap, you can see Dip Top Peak, which you can climb with appropriate scrambling gear. While you do not need a climbing helmet to get to Dip Top Gap, a climbing helmet is recommended for Dip Top Peak.

On the left of Dip Top Gap is Lynch Peak.

Dip Top Gap

Once you get to Dip Top Gap, you will come across one of the prettiest campsites in Washington. It would likely be extremely chilly and windy, but worth it for the views.

At Dip Top Gap, you will need to do further scrambling to get to the iconic dive board rock. Dive board rock is to the right of Dip Top Gap, and there are a few cairns that mark the way. There isn’t much space at the rock for lots of people, so you might want to snag your pictures and head back down for lunch.

Climbing Down Dip Top Gap

When snow is present, it is easy to get back down to Jade Lake from Dip Top Gap.

As long as the snow is compressible and not slushy, you can do some glisading down to the boulder field. To glisade, you will want to pack an ice axe to self-arrest on your way down. You could use your shortened hiking poles, but it is not recommended.

You might even be lucky enough to see someone skiing on the snow field while you are there. We spotted several people hiking up with their skis on our way down.

Related Read: Blanca Lake

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Backpacking Jade Lake Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about backpacking to Jade Lake. If you have a question that is not answered below, feel free to ask it in the comments. I would be happy to help!

Do you need a permit to backpack Jade Lake?

Yes, you need a self-issued permit to backpack Jade Lake. These permits are available at the permit box on the Deception Pass Trail that leads to Jade Lake.

Additionally, a parking pass is required in the form of a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass.

Can you camp at Jade Lake?

Yes, you can camp at Jade Lake. However, there are limited camping spots around the lake. If you cannot find tent sites following the Leave No Trace principles, look for available spots at No Name Lake or backtrack to Marmot Lake.

I recommend starting the trail early so you have a higher chance of securing a spot.

Are there water sources available on the trail?

There are plenty of available water sources along the route. Since there are plenty of water sources along the trail, I opt to bring a 1.5 litter filtering water bottle instead of a larger water bladder to decrease pack weight.

The glacial silt that is responsible for the milky blue color of Jade Lake can cause blockage in some water filters. I would recommend filtering water from a nearby stream instead.

How long does it take to backpack Jade Lake?

While you can do an overnight at Jade Lake, I recommend planning for a three-day, two-night trip to Jade Lake.

• Day One: Hike to Jade Lake (or Marmot Lake)
• Day Two: Hike Dip Top Gap and Pea Soup Lake Lookout
• Day Three: Hike out

To get an early start on the trail if you’re headed to the trailhead after work on a Thursday, you could spend the night at Hyas Lake so you can get an early start to Jade Lake the next day. This would help you secure the best site with a nice view.

Can you day hike to Jade Lake?

Yes, you can complete Jake Lake as a day hike. However, due to the difficulty of the trail, there aren’t a lot of day hikers. Once you pass Hyas Lake, most people are backpacking either to the Clarice Lakes or Tuck Lake.

Depending on the time of year, there may be skiers backcountry skiing down the snow field below Dip Top Gap.

There are a few trail runners looking to challenge themselves on this route as well, but most people are completing this trail as an overnight. Both because it is a difficult trail and because getting to the trailhead is a long drive.

Other Hikes in the Snoqualmie Pass Area

Snoqualmie Pass has some of Washington’s most iconic trails in the Central Cascade Mountain Range.

• Tuck and Robin Lake
• Kendall Katwalk
• Snow Lake
• Lake Ingalls
• Spectacle Lake

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness area around Snoqualmie Pass has some of the best alpine lakes, beautiful meadows, and rugged peaks. If you find yourself on a beautiful hike with an alpine lake, don’t forget to take a customary dip in the summer!

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