Pete Lake
Region: Central Cascades and Snoqualmie
Roundtrip Miles: 8.5 to SE corner of lake (9.5 to N side of lake)
Elevation Gain (feet): 700
Best Month(s): September
Hikeable: May-November
Trailhead Coordinates: 47.4350, -121.1855
Pass: NW Forest
Features: mountain views, lake, wildlife, wildflowers, campsites, old growth, river
Water: plenty of streams along the trail
Time: Plan on spending about 4 hours hiking plus probably 1 hour at the lake
Summary: This might be my favorite hike ever. It’s relatively flat and what little elevation gain it does have is so spread out that you don’t really feel it. Any climbs are short-lived and not very steep. It’s a beautiful walk through the forest with several small streams for the dogs to get a drink or take a break and cool off. The lake is just gorgeous! The first area at the Southeast corner is the best access point for the dogs to swim and also the best photo site with the mountains in the background. The sun will also be in your favor from this end of the lake if you get up there mid-day. There are several large, shady campsites at the SE corner, but this is a high traffic spot, so don’t expect privacy. If a prime swimming spot isn’t your priority and you value solitude more, head to the northern end of the lake where you’ll find campsites scattered along the shoreline (some are out in the sun) and a few back in the trees as you head further NW. The trail gets pretty dusty so bring sunglasses and a bandana. We went in the first week of September and encountered lots of ripe thimbleberries!
The only negative thing I have to say about this hike is that since horses are also allowed, that can add another level of stress. You will not hear or see them until they are 30 feet away from you in most spots because the trail has so many little corners and is pretty brushy. They don’t wear bells or anything so they will startle your dogs. We went on a weekday morning and encountered 4 hikers with 3 dogs on the way in. On the way out, we encountered 3 hikers, no dogs, but 6 horses/mules with riders.
Post-hike Food Stop:
- The Red Bird Cafe* (Roslyn): try the Monte Cristo!
- NOT DOG FRIENDLY. If you go on a cool, non-sunny day where the pupper is safe to be left in the car, try Cottage Cafe and Fireside Lounge (Cle Elum): delicious breakfast (french toast with eggs and bacon) and lunch (fish and chips)
Other Cle Elum Attractions:
- Swiftwater Cellars
Note: The restaurants and breweries denoted with * are potentially dog-friendly for their outdoor seating. Their patio dining may only be open during summer, however. You should always check with each restaurant to see if outdoor space has a separate entrance and if they are willing to accommodate well-behaved dogs. I would never assume just because a place has allowed dogs in the past that this is still the case.