Backpack to Snow Lake

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.