Seattle, WA: Greider Lakes
Climb two miles up the switchbacked flanks of Greider Peak to a pair of lovely lakes in a deep, glacier-carved basin.
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The well-marked trailhead begins at Reflection Ponds, near the base of Greider Creek. A short loop trail circles this marshy area, but it is best explored in cooler, insect-free months. Once across the water, the trail begins a steady ascent on tight switchbacks, gaining over 1,300′ in 1.5 miles. The narrow trail is rocky and root-ridden, but local volunteers have helped ease the climb by carving and hacking dozens of steps into the flank of 4,600′ Greider Peak. The second-growth forest is dotted by the charred remains of a decades-old fire.
At the top of the switchbacks, the trail levels out and enters quiet stands of old-growth forest. Little Greider Lake appears in another half-mile, offering several campsites along the western shore. Continue around Little Greider for another half-mile, crossing the creek between, and passing a series of tumbling cascades, to Big Greider Lake. In contrast to the lower lake, the upper lake fills the bottom of a rugged, talus-lined cirque, scarred with avalanche chutes, with Greider Peak looming above.
Hike this one in spring for the wildflowers, or summer for the huckleberries. And keep your eyes peeled for the resident bruins. Of the two lakes, Little Greider has the better camping, while Big Greider has the more impressive landscape, so plan your outing accordingly. Occasionally, the road to the trailhead may experience seasonal closures, requiring parking near the boat launch and a two-mile hike along Spada Lake to the trailhead.
Mapped by Nathan & Jeremy Barnes Hiking With My Brother
Trail Facts
- Distance: 6.6
Waypoints
GRE001
Location: 47.973461, -121.613569
Park at the boat launch, also known as Site 3 when the gate to the trail head is closed. Head back up the road to the gate to start the hike.
GRE002
Location: 47.972068, -121.613932
Closed gate; turn left, around the gate, and follow the gravel road east toward the lakes.
GRE003
Location: 47.975895, -121.598143
Cross over a unique concrete bridge. Cement culverts make this structure look more like a dam than a bridge.
GRE004
Location: 47.979062, -121.597315
Spada Lake view point and picnic area.
GRE005
Location: 47.974691, -121.579801
Turn left into the official trail. The hike starts out at the south end of the parking area.
GRE006
Location: 47.97387, -121.578798
Stop and walk out on a small boardwalk at the Reflection ponds. These two marshy pools are nice break point, but bring the bug spray!
GRE007
Location: 47.963522, -121.583158
Little Greider Lake is lined with some very nice camp sites. The site near the bridge over Grieder Creek appears to be the best. The lake shore is mostly vegetation, and the avalanche chutes of Big Greider are visible to the south.
GRE008
Location: 47.95972, -121.584385
A closed an abandoned trail leads up to an old lookout point above the lakes. Continue down and to the left toward Big Greider Lake
GRE009
Location: 47.9591, -121.583266
Big Greider is impressive, and in stark contrast to it’s smaller sibling. The talus filled shores are much more open and craggy and open. There are campsites here, but they aren’t as numerous as at Little Greider.
Road Closed
Location: 47.972025, -121.61361
Marsh
Location: 47.972513, -121.610048
Spada View
Location: 47.979006, -121.59698
Greider Trail head
Location: 47.974553, -121.579835
Boardwalk
Location: 47.973893, -121.578666
Little Greider
Location: 47.963606, -121.58344
Shooting Greider
Location: 47.961652, -121.584663
Big Greider
Location: 47.959008, -121.583269
Big Greider
Location: 47.958376, -121.584213