Loading...

Blue Lake Trail

Directions
Map
Pictures
Send to App
Distance:
4.7 Miles / 7.6 km
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Moderate
Time to Hike:
2 hours, ~21 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Park:
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Town:
Winthrop, Washington
Directions:
48.518883, -120.674483
Added:
June 20, 2025
Updated:
July 09, 2025
Copy Trail Link Hiking this trail? Send a friend or family member a link to this trail guide for your own safety. Hike at your own risk (disclaimer)
Loading...
Loading...
897'

Total Change
965'

Ascent
965'

Descent

Download the Trail Route for Offline Use

Supporters get exclusive access to download trail routes to the MyHikes app for offline use. Stay prepared on your adventure, even without an internet connection! Become a Supporter today to unlock this feature and hike with confidence.

Send to App

Blue Lake Trail

The Blue Lake Trail at Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near Winthrop, Washington is a moderate 4.7-mile out-and-back hike that leads to the vibrant turquoise-blue waters of Blue Lake and features stunning alpine views of the North Cascades.

Hike to Blue Lake

This hike begins at the main trailhead for the Blue Lake Trail and the Washington Pass climbing routes (Liberty Bell, etc.) where hikers will find a trail kiosk and information about both the lake and climbing routes. Once you hop on the trail, it begins ascending the mountain, following switchbacks, to reach the sub-alpine ecosystem, but along the way the trail includes scenic points-of-interest worth enjoying on the way up.

Alpine Views - Mile 0.95

After the trail ascends approximately 300-feet, along the second switchback, the forest opens up to views to the north and south. To the south, facing uphill, will be views of the Liberty Bell and other peaks and spires that comprise the Washington Pass climbing routes. To the north sits a view of Whistler Peak and its steep slopes along with the wider but prominent Cutthroat Peak. This is a great place to take a short break to take-in the views or push on.

Small Cascades / Water Source - Mile 1

Just beyond the views of the second switchback, the trail dips back the dense forest where you'll find a stream that tumbles down the mountainside with very-small cascades. While the waterfalls aren't all that noteworthy, it's a great spot to filter water if you're in desperate need.

Alpine Window View - mile 1.35

At the third switchback, the trail features a view of Cutthroat Peak as it stands between the dark boughs of the evergreen forest. This small window of a view isn't panoramic or sweeping, but it's another great spot along the trail to enjoy views.

More Alpine Views - Mile 1.8 to 2.25

From mile 1.35, the trail leads through the dense forest as it climbs the steepest section of the mountain before it leads into more alpine views around mile 1.8. From mile 1.8 until mile 2.25, the trail features breathtaking views of the alpine slopes of Whistler Peak and Cutthroat Peak to the north. Below these alpine peaks are snowfields and rolling meadows that lead into more dark, dense evergreen forests. At mile 2.08, you'll find a sign on-trail that reminds backpackers and campers that you cannot setup camp within 1/4-mile of Blue Lake. This sign is essentially the boundary line. A bit further up trail sits views that peer back eastward with views of the alpine climbing peaks of Washington Pass like the Liberty Bell, Concord Tower, Lexington Tower, and the Winter Spires.

Blue Lake - Mile 2.35

Just before Blue Lake is a short and relatively-easy creek crossing that spans a few large stones. On the other side is your entrance to Blue Lake and views of its vibrant turquoise-blue waters. Follow the trail as it runs alongside the northern outflow of the water to reach a bedrock outcropping viewpoint at mile 2.35 that sits above Blue Lake. Here, you'll find crystal-clear water below your feet. The lake's vibrant turquoise-blue tint is one of a kind, hence its name. Towering overhead are alpine mountain ridges that provide a stunning backdrop and can be found reflecting in the water. Stick around a while, snap photos, or have a snack before heading out. Another unique point-of-interest before hiking out is the cabin remnants near the creek crossing where you can walk inside of what was once a small shelter that sat near the edge of Blue Lake.

Hiking Out - Mile 2.35 to 4.7

The hike out from Blue Lake is super straight forward, simply follow the trail downhill and back to the trailhead. Along the way, you'll find the same views of Whistler Peak, Cutthroat Peak, the Liberty Bell, and Washington Pass spires. The views of the alpine North Cascade mountains are some of the best in the area without having to put in a ton of effort to reach them. Follow the switchbacks down and finally reach the trailhead at mile 4.7 to complete the hike.

Restrooms

There are pit toilets at the trailhead.

Parking, Fees, & Popularity

Hikers will find a large parking lot at the coordinates provided, located on the south side of the North Cascades Highway. The lot is large enough to fit a few dozen vehicles as of June 2025. There's a day-use fee which can be paid online with information found at the trailhead, however, there's no cell service. If you have an Annual National Parks Pass, you can leave it on your dashboard instead of paying the day-use fee. Last, this is one of the most-popular day hikes in the North Cascades and as such, you may need to park along the North Cascades Highway if the parking lot is full.

Pets

Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.

Warning

Steep terrain: The mountain slopes that surround the trail are very steep. If you stay on-trail at all times, you'll be totally fine.

Cougars: This area is cougar territory and as such, you must be mindful of their potential presence. It's best to hike in a group of two or more and keep small children close at all times. Note that cougar attacks on humans is rare and even more-rare are fatal cougar attacks.
Explore 15 trails near Winthrop, WA
  1. Parking

    48.518883, -120.674483
  2. Main Trailhead

    48.518959, -120.674286
  3. View of the Liberty Bell and Washington Pass climbing peaks from the trail

    48.514631, -120.671936
    View of the Liberty Bell and Washington Pass climbing peaks from the trail
  4. View of Whistler Peak and Cutthroat Peak in the background

    48.514556, -120.671686
    View of Whistler Peak and Cutthroat Peak in the background
  5. Very-small cascades

    48.514697, -120.670569
    Very-small cascades
  6. View of Cutthroat Peak and its alpine slopes

    48.518356, -120.668175
    View of Cutthroat Peak and its alpine slopes
  7. View of the alpine slopes of Cutthroat Peak

    48.512931, -120.665839
    View of the alpine slopes of Cutthroat Peak
  8. View of Whistler Peak (left) and Cutthroat Peak (right)

    48.512736, -120.665756
    View of Whistler Peak (left) and Cutthroat Peak (right)
  9. View of Cutthroat Peak in the clouds

    48.512364, -120.665939
    View of Cutthroat Peak in the clouds
  10. Beautiful alpine vistas

    48.51175, -120.667061
    Beautiful alpine vistas
  11. View of Whistler Mountain (left) and Cutthroat Peak (right)

    48.510814, -120.667947
    View of Whistler Mountain (left) and Cutthroat Peak (right)
  12. No camping within 1/4-mile of Blue Lake

    48.509856, -120.66935
    No camping within 1/4-mile of Blue Lake
  13. View of the climbing peaks of Washington Pass

    48.509033, -120.671478
    View of the climbing peaks of Washington Pass
  14. View of the Liberty Bell, Concord Tower, and Lexington Tower peaks

    48.509139, -120.672172
    View of the Liberty Bell, Concord Tower, and Lexington Tower peaks
  15. Short creek crossing

    48.508436, -120.672311
    Short creek crossing
  16. View of vibrant blue hues of Blue Lake with surrounding alpine peaks

    48.507836, -120.671853
    View of vibrant blue hues of Blue Lake with surrounding alpine peaks
  17. Old cabin remnants

    48.508289, -120.672333
    Old cabin remnants
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

Hazards

Poison Ivy/Oak
Rockfalls / Ledges / or Scrambles

Seasons

All

Trip Reports

Trail Guide By:
Admin user profile picture
4.7 miles / 7.6 km
4.7 miles / 7.6 km
June 20, 2025
Hiking
Preview of the MyHikes mobile app interface

Track, Log, and Explore Hikes with the MyHikes App

Shop Landscape Prints
Shop our Washington State landscape prints

Weather Forecast

In Winthrop, WA

Explore Hiking Trails

You May Also Like

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway - Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.
Explore

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway

Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.

Read
Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road - Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.
Explore

Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.

Read
New York's Best Waterfalls - Whether you're planning a day hike, roadside stop, or a leisurely short walk, this guide provides hikers, travelers, and locals alike with 63 different locations to over 100 scenic waterfalls to help plan your next adventure!
Explore

New York's Best Waterfalls

Whether you're planning a day hike, roadside stop, or a leisurely short walk, this guide provides hikers, travelers, and locals alike with 63 different locations to over 100 scenic waterfalls to help plan your next adventure!

Read

Before you boogie...

Find our trail guides useful? Consider becoming a Supporter to unlock perks!

MyHikes is an indie platform that makes exploring public trails easier for everyone. The platform has no investors, no ads, and is owned and operated by one person, Dave Miller. Dave has personally mapped and written over 1,800 trail guides on MyHikes for the public to explore. MyHikes has helped millions outdoor enthusiasts plan their next adventure.

But it takes a lot of time 🕦, money 💰, work, and espresso shots ☕ to run MyHikes, including hiking , mapping , writing , and publishing new trails with high-quality (accurate) information... along with software engineering (coding) the platform like building new features, website and mobile app development (iOS and Android), site maintainance . and much much more.

Supporters unlock website and mobile app perks with an annual one-time payment of $25 (you renew) 😎👍. Or you can simply make a Donation of your choice. Otherwise, you can support us by telling your friends about MyHikes - both quick and free 🎉

Admin user profile picture

Dave Miller
MyHikes Founder