Gem & Wildcat Lakes
Spend a night on the shores of a lovely alpine lake, not too far from civilization but far enough to feel the solace of the wilderness.
Total Distance: 13.8 miles
Total Ascent: 3800ft (2500ft in; 1300ft out)
Highest Point: 4900ft
Total Ascent: 3800ft (2500ft in; 1300ft out)
Highest Point: 4900ft
Take I-90 to exit 52. From the exit, take a left onto Alpental Road for about two miles to a large gravel parking lot. The trailhead is across the road to the right. Privy available. View Google Directions >>
Begin by following the Snow Lake Trail #1013 as it cuts through the underbrush and enters the forest. Slowly climb past firs, hemlocks and cedars eventually reaching fields of talus. Skip across a few streams and at 1.7 miles, pass the junction with the Snow Lake Trail #1013.2, (signed the Source Lake Overlook trail) which served as the primary route to Snow Lake before washouts prompted the building of a more direct route over the cliffs. Keep right and switchback steeply up the ridge, crossing into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at 2.4 miles shortly before you crest the top of the ridge.
It’s a short 0.4 miles drop to the water, with lovely views of the sprawling lake spreading out before you. Once you reach the shore, press further down the trail, circling the lake to reach a trail junction at 3.3 miles. Here the Rock Lake Trail 1031.1 leads down to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley to the right and the High Lakes Trail #1012 begins to the left. Keep left to begin the climb to Gem Lake.
Leave Snow Lake behind for narrow, rocky trail that goes up, up, up. Push through talus fields and pass moss-covered trees to eventually reach Gem Lake at 4.6 miles. Beyond Gem Lake the trail climbs up a small ridge to a saddle before steeply dropping into Wildcat Basin. Work your way up the basin, gaining elevation and passing a number of ponds to a campsite and trail junction at the 6.5-mile mark. The short path to the left leads down to Lower Wildcat Lake and another campsite. To the right the trail continues another 0.4 miles to Upper Wildcat Lake. There's a lot more to Gem & Wildcat Lakes, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!
It’s a short 0.4 miles drop to the water, with lovely views of the sprawling lake spreading out before you. Once you reach the shore, press further down the trail, circling the lake to reach a trail junction at 3.3 miles. Here the Rock Lake Trail 1031.1 leads down to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley to the right and the High Lakes Trail #1012 begins to the left. Keep left to begin the climb to Gem Lake.
Leave Snow Lake behind for narrow, rocky trail that goes up, up, up. Push through talus fields and pass moss-covered trees to eventually reach Gem Lake at 4.6 miles. Beyond Gem Lake the trail climbs up a small ridge to a saddle before steeply dropping into Wildcat Basin. Work your way up the basin, gaining elevation and passing a number of ponds to a campsite and trail junction at the 6.5-mile mark. The short path to the left leads down to Lower Wildcat Lake and another campsite. To the right the trail continues another 0.4 miles to Upper Wildcat Lake. There's a lot more to Gem & Wildcat Lakes, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!
Nearby hikes
Similar Difficulty
Similar Features
