Trout Lake
Hike through patches of recently logged forest to reach a lake oasis just inside the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Total Distance: 12.4 miles
Total Ascent: 2000ft
Highest Point: 4800ft
Total Ascent: 2000ft
Highest Point: 4800ft
Take US 2 to Leavenworth. Just before you enter town, take a right onto Icicle Creek Road (FR 76). Continue to follow Icicle Creek Road as the pavement turns to gravel at 12.5 miles and then keeping right at the Y just beyond. At 17 miles, turn left across the bridge spanning Icicle Creek. In 0.1 mile turn left onto spur road 615 (FR 7600-615). Continue a little over 0.1 mile to the Jack Trout Trailhead on the right. View Google Directions >>
The hike begins from Jack Trout Trailhead, heading into the trees along the Jack Creek Trail #1558. Pass the Jack Pine Trail #1597 on your right before crossing over tumbling Jack Creek on a sturdy steel bridge. Beyond enter into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at 0.6 miles and reach the junction with the Trout Creek Trail #1555 at 1.4 miles. Continuing straight follows Jack Creek deep into the wild, reaching Cradle Lake and beyond. Head right and up, continuing to climb the valley wall.
Reach the top of the ridge at a rocky vista offering sweeping views before dropping into the backside of Jack Ridge above Trout Creek. Beyond, the trail exits the trees for a broad swath of clearcut. Skim along the top of the brutal cut until you reach the wild forest once again, angling down toward the valley bottom, crossing a few bubbling streams before reaching the junction with the Eightmile-Trout Creek Trail #1554 leading up to Windy Pass and Lake Caroline.
Reach Trout Lake at the 6.2-mile mark, with waters green from algae and aquatic plants. Grass spills over the lakeshore and out into the lake. Bushwhackers and adventurers can continue past the lake deeper into the basin, picking their way toward the base of Eightmile Mountain. Your reward is ever increasing views of Eightmile’s rugged profile and a small tarn. There's a lot more to Trout Lake, 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!
Reach the top of the ridge at a rocky vista offering sweeping views before dropping into the backside of Jack Ridge above Trout Creek. Beyond, the trail exits the trees for a broad swath of clearcut. Skim along the top of the brutal cut until you reach the wild forest once again, angling down toward the valley bottom, crossing a few bubbling streams before reaching the junction with the Eightmile-Trout Creek Trail #1554 leading up to Windy Pass and Lake Caroline.
Reach Trout Lake at the 6.2-mile mark, with waters green from algae and aquatic plants. Grass spills over the lakeshore and out into the lake. Bushwhackers and adventurers can continue past the lake deeper into the basin, picking their way toward the base of Eightmile Mountain. Your reward is ever increasing views of Eightmile’s rugged profile and a small tarn. There's a lot more to Trout Lake, 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!
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