Snow Lake

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Region: Central Cascades and Snoqualmie

Roundtrip Miles: 7.2 miles

Elevation Gain (feet): 1800

Best Month(s): September

Hikeable: June-October

Trailhead Coordinates:  47.4454, -121.4230

Pass: NW Forest/America the Beautiful

Features: mountain views, campsites, old growth, waterfall, lake

Water: no potable water at trailhead. There are a few small springs that cross the trail but I wouldn’t count on this as a water source, especially later in summer

Time: Plan on spending about 3-3.5 hours hiking if you stop at the top or 4-4.5 hours if you head down to the lake for the full 7.2 miles

Summary: This is a fun hike with lots of varied scenery. Parts of the trail are rather exposed though, so you’ll want to start early to beat the heat on summer days. The trail is a mix of soft forest floor, rocky avalanche shoots, and a few switchbacks on exposed hillsides. This is a trail where I was watching my feet a lot due to all the rocks and roots. Be sure to look up through some of the clearings on your left for some nice views on the hike up though.

When you reach highest point of the hike, there is a very large boulder to your left that makes for a nice view if you dare to climb it. If not, head right to continue on the trail down to the lake. If you’d like to stop at the top and avoid the 500 foot descent (which you will inevitably have to gain back), the hike ends up being about 4.8 miles. At the first switchback to the left after you head down toward the lake, there is a nice spot off to the right where you can get a lovely picture and take a break before continuing on to the lake or turning back to the parking lot.

The hike down will be much busier and the parking lot will likely be full. While most of the trail is only suitable for one person to pass, there are plenty of side spots to step into to allow others to pass by.

Post-hike Food Stop:

  1. Snoqualmie Falls Brewery* (Snoqualmie): large outdoor dog-friendly dining open in summer with lots of adult beverage options and enough menu options that everyone should be able to find something to eat
  2. The Bindlestick* (Snoqualmie): the outdoor dog-friendly patio here is huge with lots of large picnic tables; the food selection is limited to salads and sandwiches but they also have beer and cider
  3. Infusion Bar and Grill* (Snoqualmie): if you go during happy hour (3-6pm daily), order the BBQ pork or salmon sliders; lunch or dinner, order the infusion jambalaya or dungeness crab fettuccine; patio may not always be open
  4. Rio Bravo* (North Bend): really delicious Mexican food in a tiny location. The enchiladas are especially good.
  5. NOT DOG FRIENDLY – Huxdotter Coffee (North Bend): this place stocks fresh goodies from several local businesses including donuts from North Bend Bakery and pastries from Macrina Bakery. Yummy!
  6. NOT DOG FRIENDLY – The North Bend Bakery (North Bend): delicious pastries, donuts, pies, and cookies. Grab some to-go in the morning and enjoy a yummy trail snack later!

Other Snoqualmie Attractions:

  • Snoqualmie Falls
  • Northwest Railway Museum
  • Rain Drum Courtyard at Cedar River Watershed Visitors Center in North Bend

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.