Lake Michael & Lake Terence
Overlooked and undervisited, this hike out pair of remote alpine lakes offers quiet solitude and a little slice of adventure. Rugged landscapes, crystal clear waters and lonesome trail; this hike has all the hallmarks of a great alpine backpack
Total Distance: 17.0 miles
Total Ascent: 3300ft (2500ft in; 800ft out)
Highest Point: 5200ft
Total Ascent: 3300ft (2500ft in; 800ft out)
Highest Point: 5200ft
From I-90 East take Exit 80. Head left/north over the freeway following Bullfrog Road 2.8 miles to the traffic circle junction with SR 903. Follow SR 903 16.6 miles through Roslyn and along Cle Elum Lake to FR 4330 just beyond the Salmon La Sac guard station. Veer right, avoiding the campground and continuing onto the dirt and gravel FR 4330 for 12.3 miles to the Cathedral Pass Trailhead. Be aware that parking can be difficult on summer weekends, as this is a very popular trailhead. Privy available. View Google Directions >>
From Tucquala Meadows, follow the Cathedral Pass Trail #1345 over the Cle Elum River on relatively flat trail before beginning a series of long switchbacks that slowly work their way way up the mountainside. At 0.4 miles the trail enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and at 2.0 miles the trail begins to flatten and reaches the signed junction with the Trail Creek Trail #1322. Veer left following the arrow pointing toward the Lake Michael Trail.
The dusty trail angles gently downwards and before long you’ll begin to hear the trickle of the route’s namesake waterway, Trail Creek. Continue plodding down the sheltered and uneventful trail to the Lake Michael Trail #1336, at the 4.7-mile mark.
Leave the gentle grades and wide trails behind as you climb steeply up the shoulders of Goat Mountain. After about a mile of climbing the trail levels somewhat as you cross Goat Creek, beginning a traverse, eventually dropping steeply down to Lake Michael’s outlet creek. From here the trail follows the creek back to its source, climbing up to the lakeside.
The trail forks here, with one path continuing around the lake to the left, and the trail continuing onward and upward to Lake Terence across the outlet creek to the right. Lake Terence sits another 1.6 miles down the trail, in the next bowl over from Lake Michael at the base of Davis Peak.
The dusty trail angles gently downwards and before long you’ll begin to hear the trickle of the route’s namesake waterway, Trail Creek. Continue plodding down the sheltered and uneventful trail to the Lake Michael Trail #1336, at the 4.7-mile mark.
Leave the gentle grades and wide trails behind as you climb steeply up the shoulders of Goat Mountain. After about a mile of climbing the trail levels somewhat as you cross Goat Creek, beginning a traverse, eventually dropping steeply down to Lake Michael’s outlet creek. From here the trail follows the creek back to its source, climbing up to the lakeside.
The trail forks here, with one path continuing around the lake to the left, and the trail continuing onward and upward to Lake Terence across the outlet creek to the right. Lake Terence sits another 1.6 miles down the trail, in the next bowl over from Lake Michael at the base of Davis Peak.
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