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.

A larch is a type of deciduous conifer. Like deciduous trees such as maple and birch, 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. If you’re looking to avoid large crowds on this trail, you might want to skip the larch march. This trail is just as beautiful whether the larches are golden or not.

This guide contains everything you need to know about hiking the Blue Lake Trail! Let’s get into it.

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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 trails with larch trees in the area include Lake Ingalls and Maple Pass Loop!

If you’re looking for a short hike to a beautiful mountain lake, surrounded by massive granite peaks, this is the trail for you.

Quick Overview of Blue Lake Trail

Regardless of whether you are hiking Blue Lake during Larch Season or on a beautiful summer day, here is some important information you need to know to ensure a safe and responsible trek.

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, and 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 Blue Lakes 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 trailhead parking lot. If those are full, there is parking along the highway.

If you end up driving past Washington Overlook Pass, you’ve driven too far.

Trailhead facilities

There are pit toilets at the trailhead and a picnic bench in the parking area.

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 of year to visit is the first two weeks of October. 

While the 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.

My partner took a dip in the lake in early October, and while it was frigid, he said it was worth it! I could see the cutthroat trout swimming around him as he splashed around in the icy waters.

For more information about larches, you can read this article.

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

Before you step foot on the trail, be sure to sign the trail register. This is used by the park service to understand how many people use the trail so they can properly allocate funds to the park in Washington state.

The first quarter mile is flat and parallels the nearby highway. You’ll begin by crossing the first of several short boardwalks and entering 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 toward Liberty Bell Mountain, a popular climbing location in the North Cascades. 

This section of the trail is wide, allowing ample space for passing or pulling off 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 shoot-off 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 respite from all the Blue Lake Hikers. Keep to the right to remain on the main trail.

At 1.8 miles into the trail, the trail opens up and has some gorgeous views of the surrounding larches.

This area typically offers the best chances of possible mountain goat sightings.

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 Spire until you get to the lake for the last half mile.

The trail branches into two routes to the lake.

The branch to the left is shorter and has great views of this pristine mountain lake with a mountain backdrop. Later in the day, there is ample shade as the sun dips behind the mountains.

The branch to the right leads hikers to the tran loop trail. There is a large boulder that hikers will sit on and enjoy the views from! The tran loop is about a quarter of a mile but has a great view point of lower blue lake.

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 the 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!

1. Day Pack: You’ll want a comfortable hiking backpack for this trail. I have been using the Osprey Tempest 20 since 2022, and love it.
2. Packable Towel: Even if you don’t do a full swim at the lake, I would recommend at least dipping your feet in. This hyperlite towel from Sea to Summit is extremely light and dries very quickly.
3. Sit Pad: The best addition I have made to my hiking setup has been a foam sit pad. They’re lightweight and keep your butt from getting dirty and poked while sitting at a beautiful view.
4. Puffy Jacket: Even in the summer, this trail can get chilly. Bring a lightweight jacket!
5. Sun Shirt: My standard hiking uniform always includes a sun hoodie. My two favorite sun hoodies are the Sahara Sun Shirt from REI and the Tahoe Sunshirt from Backcountry.
6. Sturdy Hiking Boots: This trail is pretty rocky. I would recommend comfortable hiking boots with ankle support. I wear Oboz Bridgers.

Read My Fall Hiking Clothes Guide Here!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Blue Lake.

How long does it take to hike the Blue Lake Trail in Washington?

Depending on your hiking experience and the time you spend at the lake, I would allocate at least 2.5 hours to hike the Blue Lake Trail. We hiked this trail after completing Maple Pass Loop.

Can you swim in Blue Lake in the 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.

I’d make sure to bring a towel with you.

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.

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Other Trails in the Area

The North Cascades have 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.

Read More About this Trail Here!

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.

Get the Trail Guide Here!

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!

Read More About Mount Pilchuck Here!

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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! As always, be sure to check road conditions, current weather, and trail conditions before heading out.

North Cascades is one of the least visited National Parks in the country, but it is truly a hidden gem.  

If you have questions about this trail, leave me a comment! I’d love to help with your trail planning. 

Happy Hiking!