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Mineral Creek Park

Hike or backpack to Park Lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. From there head north for south on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) for great views. It's also possible to start at the Kachess Lake Campground for an enjoyable hike along the lake.

Getting There

Take Exit 80 off of I-90 and turn onto Bullfrog Road (left if eastbound, right if westbound). Drive 2.8 miles, follow the traffic circle to SR-903, and drive 15.5 miles through Roslyn and along Cle Elum Lake. Turn left onto Forest Road 46 (Cooper River Road) and drive 9.4 miles over Cooper Pass to the trailhead (2,375 ft).

On the Trail

Hike the Mineral Creek Trail 4.3 miles to Upper Park Lake. Plan on some challenging river and creek crossings. From Park Lakes connect with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) north toward Chikamin Peak for views of Alaks and Joe Lakes or south to Spectacle Lake. There's a primitive, unmaintained trail just of the the northbound PCT that heads to Glacier and Chikamin Lakes.

It's also possible to start from the Kachess Lake Campground and hike 4.8 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain along Little Kachess Lake to the Mineral Creek Trailhead.

Notes

  • Out-of-Print Guidebook: 100 Hikes in Washington's Alpine Lakes, 3rd ed by Ira Spring, Vicky Spring, and Harvey Manning (Mountaineers Books 2000).
  • Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking
  • Seasons: July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 8.6 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft
  • 4,700 ft
Map
  • Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass No. 207
  • Green Trails Kachess Lake No. 208
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