Margaret Lake, Lake Laura, Lake Lillian, Rampart & Lila Lakes
Day hikes and backpacks of 6-18 miles with 1,200 to 3,100 feet of elevation gain that follow a beautiful, seldom traveled route along a high ridge past several alpine lakes and down along picturesque waterfalls near Snoqualmie Pass, much of it in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
getting there
Drive I-90 to Exit 54 (Hyak). Turn right, pass under the interstate and then turn right onto Forest Road 4832 (signed Gold Creek). In about 4 miles, turn left onto Forest Road 4934 and follow it 0.25 mile to the trailhead (3,600 ft).
on the trail
Margaret Lake (5,100 ft)
6 miles round trip, 1,200 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: moderate
Follow the trail towards Lake Lillian and in two miles turn right and follow the trail to Margaret Lake.
Mount Margaret (5,580 ft)
5.5 miles round trip, 2,000 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: moderate
From the Margaret Lake Trailhead, follow the trail 2 miles to its junction with the Lake Lillian trail. Follow the Lake Lillian Trail for another half mile where, at 2.5 miles from the trailhead, there is a boot path on the right. Follow the boot path for a quarter mile and 250 feet of elevation gain to the Mount Margaret summit with a steep drop on three sides and views across the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Lake Lillian (5,300 ft)
9 miles round trip, 1,500 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: moderately strenuous
Follow the trail towards Lake Lillian and in two miles turn left and follow the trail to Lake Lillian.
rampart lakes (5,100 ft) & lila lake (5,200 ft)
up to 18 miles round trip and 3,000 feet of elevation gain
From Lake Lillian, continue north to Rampart Lakes and then Lila Lake.
notes
- Fall color is lovely in the area, and camps are available at all the lakes.
- Scramble Alta Mountain from Lila Lake if your party's up for that.
- Instead of retracing your steps back to the Margaret Lake-Lake Lillian trailhead consider exiting steeply down past Rachel Lake to make a loop to the Rachel Lake trailhead. Remember to set up a car shuttle.
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An alternate hike to Lake Lillian follows a "fisherman's trail" that passes Lake Laura. It's very steep, easy-to-follow trail, a bit of a scramble in places, but is a much shorter hike to Lake Lillian. It's part of our Rampart Ridge route/place.
- Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking
- Seasons: July, August, September, October
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Length: 18.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 3,100 ft
- 5,200 ft
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Land Manager:
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Cle Elum Ranger District (OWNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass Gateway No. 207S
- Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass No. 207
- Trails Illustrated Alpine Lakes Wilderness
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness (ALPS)
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Margaret Lake
- Mount Margaret
- Lake Lillian
- Margaret Lake & Lake Lillian
- Lake Lillian & Rampart Lakes
- Lake Lillian & Lila Lake
- Lake Lillian, Rampart & Lila Lakes
- Lila Lake
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