Categories: Things To Do

This pristine alpine lake hike is just over an hour from Seattle

Photo via Shutterstock

If waterfalls, wildflowers, forests, mountain views and an alpine lake sound like your kind of paradise, we have just the spot for you. Anette Lake is just a 1.2 hours drive from Seattle, located in Washington’s beautiful Snoqualmie Pass. Here’s what the hike is like and why you should check it out.

At 7.5 miles, roundtrip with 1,800 feet of elevation gain, this hike is considered moderate to hard. However, the mix of terrain, plant life and possibly wildlife that you get to see along the way makes it all worth it.

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Shortly after starting the trail you’ll hear the sound of Humpback Creek and at just 0.2 miles in, you’ll cross over it. Be sure to take a minute or two to take in the site of one of the best tumbling falls in Washington.

You’ll then go through the forest and enter a clearing where shortly after you begin the real climb. As you steadily gain elevation, you may come across the occasional small water crossing, many of which are surrounded by wildflowers. And as the trail opens up you’ll be able to catch views of Granite and Humpback Mountain.

The approach to the lake is relatively flat and once you get there, you can see Abiel and Silver Peak, and even a waterfall on the lake’s east shore.

Keep in mind you do need a Northwest Forest Pass to access this hike. The pass can be purchased from private vendors, online or from National Forest offices.