- Destinations, Hiking
Guide to Hiking Blue Lake in North Cascades
If you know what a larch is, you know that larch season brings with it great anticipation. Prior to moving to Washington, I had no idea what a larch was and now I’m OBSESSED. The best part? One of my favorite trails in North Cascades National Park has larches. This is the trail guide for Blue Lake Trail during larch season.
A larch is a type of deciduous conifer. Like typical deciduous trees like maple and birch trees, and unlike coniferous trees (like evergreens), larches lose their needles. Larch needles turn a vibrant, golden yellow right before falling off in the fall.
Since the time period of the golden larch is so short, larch hikes become extraordinarily busy in the first two weeks of October.
This guide contains everything you need to know about hiking the Blue Lake Trail during larch season! Let’s get into it.
Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Complete Trail Guide to Hiking the Blue Lake Trail in Larch Season
The Blue Lake Trail is one of my favorite trails in North Cascades National Park. It is one of the best trails to see larches on in October. Some other popular larch trails include Lake Ingalls and Maple Pass Loop!
So if you’re looking to hike this epic trail come October, this guide has everything you need to know!
General Information
Region: North Cascades
Distance: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,050 ft
Level: Easy to Moderate
Time: 2.5 hours
When to Go: June – November
Pass/Permit?: Northwest Forest Pass
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Date Completed: 10/6/23
Accessing the Blue Lake Trailhead
Accessing the Blue Lake Trailhead is relatively straightforward and has the standard amenities of typical hikes in the North Cascades.
Where is the Trailhead located?
Blue Lake is located on the ancestral lands of the confederated tribes of the Colville Reservation and Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Yakama, Sylix, Chelan tribes. We are grateful for the stewards of this land past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead for Blue Lake is located off Highway 2. Driving along the North Cascades Scenic Highway is an adventure in and of itself as you drive past Diablo Lake and through the Cascade Mountains.
If you’re driving west to the trailhead, the parking lot is located on the right about 40 miles past Newhalem, WA.
There are about 20 parking spots at the Blue Lake Parking Lot. If those are full, there is parking along the highway.
Trailhead facilities
There are pit toilets at the trailhead and a picnic bench.
Season to Visit
The trail is accessible from July to November(-ish). However, if you want to see larches on the trail, the best time to visit is the first two weeks of October.
While larch season is certainly the most popular time to visit this trail, I highly recommend visiting on a warm summer day as well. Many people will jump into the lake because of its crystal clear water! So if you’re up for a swim, this is it!
For more information about larches, you can read this article by WTA.
Passes/Permits
The Blue Lake Trail requires a Northwest Forest Pass. The Northwest Forest Pass gives hikers access to all National Forest Areas in Washington and Oregon.
The pass has an annual fee of $30 and can be purchased here!
Hiking the Blue Lake Trail
Blue Lake is one of the best family-friendly trails in North Cascades National Park. The trail is easy to access and has phenomenal views. There are very few family-friendly larch hikes in Washington, so if you’re looking for a larch hike that is kid-friendly, this is it!
Here is what it is like to hike the Blue Lake Trail:
Mile 1
The first quarter of a mile is flat and parallels the nearby highway. You’ll begin by crossing a stream on a foot bridge and enter into the woods. The majority of the hike has tree coverage with a couple of breaks in the treeline that offer fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.
After the first quarter of a mile, the trail begins to gain elevation as you slowly hike up Liberty Bell Mountain.
This section of the trail is wide and allows ample space for passing or pulling off the side of the trail with a dog.
Mile 2
Mile two brings hikers into a beautiful alpine meadow where you might be able to catch a glimpse of the blooming fireweed.
Before long you’re back in the cover of the forest. There are some rocky paths on this section of the trail. You might need to use a nearby tree for some stability.
Just before the beginning of mile three, there is a shootoff trail for Liberty Bell Mountain and Early Winters Spires. The offshoot is about 0.7 miles one way. If you’re up for a longer hike, I’d recommend adding this to your hike to get a reprise from all the Blue Lake Hikers.
At 1.8 miles into the trail the trail opens up and has some gorgeous views of the surrounding larches.
Mile 3
From the Liberty Bell intersection to the lake, there is about 0.5 miles more of trail. You continue to skirt around the Early WInters Spires until you get to the lake.
The trail branches into two routes to the lake.
The branch to the left is shorter and has great views of the lake with a mountain backdrop.
The branch to the right leads hikers to the tran loop trail. There is a large boulder that hikes will sit on and enjoy the views from! The tran loop is about a quarter of a mile!
The hike back is relatively straightforward! With the shallow grade of the trail, it was pretty easy on the knees!
What to Pack for Your Blue Lake Hike
The Blue Lake Trail is a spectacular trail in North Cascades and is relatively easy. Here is a short guide of what you should bring on the trail with you!
As always, you should bring the ten essentials of hiking with you. If you’re not sure what the ten essentials of hiking are, you can read about them here!
Gear
Here is a short list of gear you should consider bringing with you on the trek!
The Osprey Tempest 20 is one of my favorite day packs for hiking! It is the perfect size to carry snacks and extra layers. Another amazing day pack is the Gregory Jade.
Pack a towel with you in case you’re tempted to jump in or dip your feet in. My partner jumped in and thought it was the best part of the hike! This is the towel I bring hiking and backpacking, the Packtowl.
I bring my Nemo Seat pad with me on every hike. It is so small and compact that it fits in the side pocket of my backpack.
Clothes
The clothes you wear on this hike will be dependent on the time of year that you go! Always check weather conditions prior to your hike.
Consider packing a puffy jacket and rain jacket.
I wear the Sahara Sun Shirt on almost every hike that I do in the summer and fall. It helps protect my skin from the sun and is soft enough that I don’t feel hot in the heat.
I wore Oboz Bridgers on this hike which are my favorite pair of hiking boots. I paired them with Darn Tough Socks to keep me from getting blisters on the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Bleu Lake
How long does it take to hike Blue Lake Trail in Washington?
Depending on your hiking experience and the amount of time you spend at the lake, I would allocate at least 2 and a half hours to hike the Blue Lake Trail.
Can you swim in Blue Lake North Cascades?
Absolutely! Swimming in Blue Lake is a phenomenal experience. Be prepared for chilly water and lots of fish! You can actually see the lake trout swimming around you because the water is so clear.
How hard is Blue Lake Trail?
The Blue Lake Trail is rated easy to moderate. The distance is manageable compared to some of the surrounding trails. The elevation gain can be a little challenging at times, however it is doable for all levels of hiking experience.
Other Trails in the Area
The North Cascades has some phenomenal trails. If you have a free weekend, I cannot recommend spending a couple of days in the park. I hiked Maple Pass Loop and Blue Lake on the same day so I could get the most out of my day trip out there!
Here are some of the best hikes in and around the North Cascades:
Maple Pass Loop
Just down Highway 20 from the trailhead to Blue Lake, Maple Pass Loop is one of the most popular larch hikes in the North Cascades. This loop trail brings hikers around Lake Ann with epic views of the surrounding Cascades.
Chelan lakeshore Trail
If you’re looking for a beautiful hike along Lake Chelan, the Chelan Lakeshore Trail is for you! This is one of my favorite early-season backpacking trails.
Mount Pilchuck
This trail is not technically in the North Cascades, but it does have some amazing views of the North Cascade Mountain Range. The Mount Pilchuck trail is a popular hike an hour out of Seattle and brings visitors up to a historic fire lookout!
Pack It Up
Blue Lake Trail is a phenomenal, family-friendly larch hike in the North Cascades. It is highly accessible and if you’re lucky, you’ll even scope out some mountain goats enjoying the trail with you.
Whether you hike the trail in prime larch season, or any other time, you’re bound to love it just as much as I do!
If you have questions about this trail, leave me a comment! I’d love to help with your trail planning.
Happy Hiking!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
