Upper and Lower Snowy Lakes via PCT

Caitlynn Weeden

Wanderer

Upper and Lower Snowy Lakes via PCT

10/22/25

It was late September, and we were on the hunt for larches. We knew it was probably still a little early in the season, but with solidly decent weather in the forecast, we decided to give it a shot. Some friends were day hiking at Rainy Pass, so we arranged to meet them there while we tackled the Cutthroat Lake trailhead. After setting our alarms early, we made the drive from Seattle and started hiking around 8:45 a.m. We reached Cutthroat Lake just as the sun crested the ridgeline—it was stunning. There, we met a group of friends visiting from the Midwest, and together we marveled at the raw beauty of the North Cascades. There's something wild about these mountains that always takes my breath away. After soaking in the first light dancing across the lake, it was time to push on to Cutthroat Pass. The switchbacks leading up are such a treat—not to be dramatic, but the grade is so gentle it feels like you're being teleported to the top. We arrived at the pass around 11:30, sat down to soak in the sweeping views, and had lunch. From the pass, we continued toward Upper Snowy Lakes along a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. It was a joy chatting with several thru-hikers who were thrilled to be in their final days on trail. We even played trail angels, handing out cookies to weary hikers. The trail led us through a stunning boulder field before opening up to views down into the North Cascades valley. The meadows on the valley floor were just beginning their autumn transformation. The larches were mostly a lime green with only the occasional bright yellow pop—they were just starting to turn. For a long stretch, the trail felt remarkably flat. Much of this section reminded me of the Kendall Katwalk area, with the trail carved precariously along the mountainside. There was one particularly sketchy washed-out section that required some careful footwork. Finally, we reached the turnoff to Upper Snowy Lake. It was our last uphill of the day, and we were a bit tired and hot, but the promise of alpine lakes kept us moving. Thankfully, the climb to the lower lake wasn't too brutal, and the upper lake was only about five minutes beyond. We set up camp at the upper lake and had our pick of campsites. Only one other group was there when we arrived, and just three groups total would share this spot on a Saturday night in the North Cascades at the beginning of larch season. The solitude was incredible. We spent the afternoon lounging, munching on blueberries, and chatting. When dinnertime rolled around, we moved to a nearby ridgeline with expansive views of distant peaks. Golden hour was magical—the light made the larches absolutely glow yellow. We sat behind camp watching the sunset for a long time, noting the ominous blues that warned of the storm rolling in overnight. Sure enough, that night we heard rain pattering against the tent. We felt lucky it had held off during our hike in. The next morning, we caught a brief weather window to pack up camp, but the hike out was soggy and windy. Still, there was something special about experiencing the North Cascades in both sunny and gloomy weather—the full fall experience. Trail Details If you're looking for solitude and amazing alpine views, this adventure is right up your alley. **Stats:** Approximately 24 miles round trip with 4,400 feet of elevation gain *Note: I only uploaded half of the GPX track (the ascent portion) in case you want to follow along.* We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice [Leave No Trace](https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles) ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

5.0