Blue Lake

Washington Pass Area Highway 20

Miles: 4.5 miles roundtrip

Elevation: 1,000 feet gained

This is a fairly easy hike, but it is a long trip to get up to the trailhead. The way takes you across a few boardwalks and through the forest. It leaves the highway behind as it switchbacks up and away. There is an open area about halfway to the lake that will offer plenty of flora and views above. Soon the trail levels out for a quart of a mile before a short climb past the outlet stream. Find many places along the shore to have a snack after you choose which direction to take on the loop trail around lake. Make sure to explore the area, looking for mountain goats on the hillside and an old cabin near the lake itself.  

• GET THERE: FROM I-5 TAKE HIGHWAY 20 EAST PAST MARBLEMOUNT AND HEAD TOWARDS WASHINGTON PASS. THE TRAILHEAD IS ON THE RIGHT JUST BEFORE THE WASHINGTON PASS OVERLOOK.