Seattle, WA: Lake Byrne
Hike a ridgetop trail into the heart of the North American Alps.
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The view of Glacier Peak from massive Lake Byrne is an alpine tableau that will stick with you for a lifetime. And there’s more—this 21.4-mile out-and-back in the Cascades is no one-hit wonder. Begin by hiking north to Bingley Gap, gaining 2,450 feet over 3 miles. Follow the trail east (passing a spur to Round Lake) into the Glacier Peak Wilderness. From here, the path rollercoasters along a narrow subalpine ridgecrest among pines, rocks, and heather. Top out at 5,923 feet before reaching Camp Lake at 10 miles. Pitch camp here, then hike the final .7 mi. to Lake Byrne. Scramble around the lake and summit one of the nearby knolls to admire the view of Kennedy and Scimitar Glaciers clawing at Glacier Peak’s icy western slope, then return the way you came. Info: (360) 436-1155; fs.fed.us/r6/mbs -Hike provided by Kathy and Craig Copeland, authors of Hiking From Here to WOW: North Cascades (Wilderness Press)
Waypoints
Trailhead
Location: 48.0938262939453, -121.336311340332