The Alpine Lakes Wilderness encompasses approximately 394,000 acres in the Central Cascades Region of Washington state. The area is accessed by 47 trailheads and 615 miles of trails leading to more than 700 lakes and mountain ponds. Tree covered valleys give way to rocky ridges and rugged peaks along the crest of the Cascades.  

The Snow Creek Trail climbs 4025' in 6.85 miles to Upper Snow Lake (5,420')

Trap Lake is located in a steep-walled cirque under Trap Pass along the PCT

The Robin Lakes comprise some of the 700 lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Crystal Lake sits under Little Annapurna in the Stuart Range of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

It's a short, steep climb from Tunnel Creek Trailhead to Hope Lake (4,386') on the PCT

Josephine Lake (4,681') is located below the PCT - Icicle Creek Trail junction near Stevens Pass

Lake Janus (4,146') is located 3.45 miles from the Smithbrook Trailhead near Stevens Pass in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness

A couple enjoys the view from the outlet of Talapus Lake

Rampart Lake - 4,980' and accessible from the Rachel Lake Trailhead

The Robin Lakes - 6,120' are an excellent backpacking destination from the Deception Pass TH

Picturesque Talapus Lake - 3,370' - accessible from the Talapus Lake Trailhead

Lake Lillian - a beautiful backcountry camping spot also popular for fishing

Snow Lake is perhaps the most popular destination in all of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

A mother mountain goat and kid survey the Robin Lakes area

Twin Lakes - an easy day hike from the Lake Lillian Trailhead

Franklin Falls - a nice, short diversion from the lakes of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Lake Margaret - nestled in a small cirque

Big Heart Lake, a hearty 16-mile roundtrip backcountry trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

The Snow Creek Trail climbs 3525' in 5.45 miles from Icicle Creek Road to Nada Lake (4,923')

Source Lake - a tiny body of water on the way to larger Snow Lake

Leprechaun Lake (6,882') fills a large granite bowl in the Enchantments

Tuck Lake - 5,207' - nestled in a deep granite cirque along the flanks of Mt Daniel

Copper Lake - 3,780' - accessible from the West Fork Foss Trailhead in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Few destinations represent the Alpine Lakes Wilderness better than Colchuk Lake (5,570') in the Stuart Range

Lake Dorothy (3,058') is a favorite family destination, and a great place to load up on berries in late summer

Lake Valhalla (4,838') is located along the PCT in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, a highly recommended day or overnight trip accessible from both Stevens Pass and Smithbrook Road

Isolation Lake (7,712') is located just east of Aasgard Pass; whether you've just climbed the pass or are about to head down, you've earned this one!

Olallie Lake - 3,790' - is an excellent trail to forage for berries

Lake Serene is a strenuous 2000' climb aided by 23 switchbacks

Melakwa Lake - 4,378' - is accessible from the Denny Creek Campground

Melakwa Lake is a popular spot for fishing in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Early morning at Hyas Lake - a short day hike from the Rachel Lake Trailhead

Eightmile Lake (4,641') is a great trail run and family destination near Leavenworth

Lake Viviane (6,785') fills a deep granite bowl along the Enchantment Lakes Loop

Snoqualmie Lake (3,147') is a headwater of the Taylor River, which feeds the East Fork Snoqualmie River