.
Pyramid Lake Trail
.
The Pyramid Lake Trail takes you through an amazing North Cascade forest.
.
The trailhead to the Pyramid Lake Trail is right off the highway near milepost 127 of the North Cascades Scenic Highway as it passes through the Ross Lake National Recreation Area.
.
.
Pyramid Lake Trail
The Pyramid Lake Trail is a moderately strenuous forest hike located along the North Cascades Scenic Highway in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex (Ross Lake National Recreation Area). The trailhead is along State Route 20 (North Cascades Scenic Highway) near milepost 127, just east of Gorge Lake. The hike is 4.2 miles round trip with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain, making it a really good workout for such a relatively short trail!
For us, however, Pyramid Lake itself is not the reason to hike this trail. In fact, we don't find the lake very impressive at all. It is a small, heavily forested mountain lake with floating logs and very limited dramatic mountain scenery. If you're expecting a spectacular turquoise alpine lake surrounded by towering North Cascades peaks, Pyramid Lake may be a disappointment.
The real highlight of the Pyramid Lake Trail is the forest. This hike takes you directly into the thick, moss-covered forests that make the North Cascades such a remarkable place. The trail climbs steadily through lodgepole pine before entering beautiful stands of hemlock, fir and large cedar trees. Some of the cedars along the route are more than 500 years old.
As you work your way uphill, you'll pass huge trees, moss-covered logs, ferns and shaded forest floors that stay cool even during warm summer days. A particularly enjoyable section occurs near the stream crossing at about 0.9 mile, where the combination of flowing water, giant trees and thick green vegetation creates a classic North Cascades forest setting. NOTE: You may want to turn around at this point because their is a lot of elevation gain waiting for you and the lake is quite underwhelming, unless you're in the mood for a good workout.
So while Pyramid Lake may be the official destination, we feel the journey through the forest is by far the best part of this hike. If you enjoy mossy old-growth forests more than big mountain viewpoints, the Pyramid Lake Trail provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the quieter, greener side of the North Cascades.
.
You almost expect to see a dinosaur while hiking on the Pyramid Lake Trail.
.
Pyramid Lake Trail Description
.
- Trailhead: Along the North Cascades Scenic Highway (State Route 20) near milepost 127, just east of Gorge Lake
- Distance: 2.1 miles one way
- Round-Trip Distance: 4.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,500 vertical feet in 2.1 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- Estimated Hiking Time: Approximately 2.5 to 4 hours round trip, depending on pace and stops
- Trail Surface: Primarily dirt trail through dense forest, with roots, rocks and occasional muddy areas
- Forest Highlight: Beautiful moss-covered North Cascades forest, including hemlock, fir and large cedar trees
- Stream Crossing: At approximately 0.9 mile, the trail crosses Pyramid Creek in an especially attractive forest setting. Some of the large cedar trees in this area are more than 500 years old.
- Main Highlight: The forest is the best part of this hike. The thick moss, huge trees, ferns, shaded creek bottoms and lush vegetation provide a wonderful example of the North Cascades forest environment.
- Pyramid Lake: In our opinion, Pyramid Lake itself is not very impressive. It is a small, heavily forested lake without the dramatic mountain backdrop found at many other North Cascades lakes.
- Our Recommendation: Hike the Pyramid Lake Trail for the moss-covered forest experience rather than the lake. The journey through the forest is much more memorable than the destination.
- PLEASE READ THIS: Due to the steepness of the trail, and the fact that the lake is underwhelming, you might want to just enjoy the first mile or so, and turn around at the Pyramid Creek crossing.
.
The walk through this lush North Cascades forest is more of a reward than the lake itself.
.
The hike through the mossy forest along the Pyramid Lake Trail is a memorable experience.
.
The hike through the mossy forest along the Pyramid Lake Trail is a memorable experience.
.
.
Pyramid Lake is the destination, but it's definitely not the highlight.
.
We enjoyed the hike through the amazing lush, mossy forest along the Pyramid Lake Trail much more than we enjoyed the actual lake.
.
If you're in the mood for a peaceful, moss-covered North Cascade forest, then the Pyramid Lake Trail is a good option.
.
.
