Blue Lake Trail

The Blue Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes along the North Cascades Scenic Highway, and for good reason. The trail begins along the North Cascades Scenic Highway (State Route 20), a short distance west of Washington Pass, and climbs into spectacular mountain country beneath Liberty Bell Mountain and the Early Winters Spires. This hike provides an excellent combination of forest, wildflowers, rugged granite peaks and a beautiful alpine lake.

The Blue Lake Trailhead is located directly along State Route 20, a few miles west of Washington Pass. Parking is available at the roadside trailhead, but it can fill quickly during busy summer weekends.

The Blue Lake Trail is approximately 2.2 miles one way, with about 1,050 feet of elevation gain. The trail begins in forest and gradually climbs through increasingly open terrain. During summer, hikers often pass through areas filled with wildflowers, while openings in the trees provide outstanding views of the surrounding North Cascades.

One of the highlights of this hike is the close-up view of Liberty Bell Mountain and the Early Winters Spires. These dramatic granite peaks rise sharply above the highway corridor and dominate much of the scenery near Washington Pass. As the trail gains elevation, the views become even more impressive, giving hikers a much closer look at these rugged formations than they get from the roadside overlooks.

The trail eventually reaches Blue Lake, a beautiful alpine lake tucked beneath steep mountain walls and surrounded by subalpine forest. The lake makes a great place to stop, have lunch and enjoy the scenery before heading back down.

We really enjoy the Blue Lake Trail because it offers such a classic North Cascades hiking experience without requiring an all-day commitment. The combination of Blue Lake, Liberty Bell Mountain, the Early Winters Spires and the surrounding alpine terrain makes this one of the standout hikes along the North Cascades Scenic Highway.