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Backpack to Snow Lake

2.6 miles  - Out-and-Back Trail

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Added by Michael Matti

Camp on a beautiful lake. You'll be at one of the two available campsites. Hike through wildflowers to reach the lake. 2.6 miles roundtrip.

Snow Lake is a beautiful lake in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. You can do the 2.6 mile roundtrip hike to the lake as either a day trip or as a backcountry camp. To camp at one of the two sites on the lake you must secure a permit from the permit office at Longmire.

The hike to the sites does have some elevation gain (700ft) as it goes up and down a few small hills. The hike also goes through a few fields of wildflowers. If you go when they are in bloom this is a beautiful hike. Watch out for bears on the hike as well as at the lake. On my trip there I saw a bear on the hike in and then later that day near the lake.To keep your camp safe from bears at night be sure to use the bear pole that is between the two campsites.

You are welcome to swim in the pristine waters of Snow Lake if you dare to face the cold; the water is quite chilly.
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Tags

Chillin
Camping
Photography
Swimming
Backpacking
Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
Lake
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Swimming Hole

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🥉Contributor

Backpack to Snow Lake

about 3 years ago

AMAZING!

It was beautiful!!!

🥈 Contributor

Backpack to Snow Lake

about 4 years ago

Beautiful Hike

Highly recommend this in the fall too! Beautiful colors, and wouldn't be too bad with a little snow on the ground. Definitely make the detour to Bench lake and walk counter-clockwise to see some awesome reflections of Mt. Rainier in the lake! This is such an easy day hike to add to a day of exploring in the Paradise area!

🥉Contributor

Backpack to Snow Lake

almost 6 years ago

The first backpacking trip I went on aftery busy with day hikers, but only a couple of other backpackers when we went in late June. I think the snow & nearly completely iced lake kept people away.

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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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.

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