Annette Lake via Lake Annete Trail
3.2 mi
Distance
1 hrs 27 min
Time
terrain
1,799 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail to Annette Lake in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
A beautiful alpine lake that you can hike to throughout the year that is easy to get to from the greater Seattle area.
Getting Started
Start from Annette Lake Trailhead off of I 90 exit 47. Trailhead parking requires a National Forest Pass.
See the Washington Trails Association webpage here for more information.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
I was surprised that I’d actually never done this hike before. Annette lake. It’s mostly in the trees, but they are more open trees so it doesn’t feel too closed in. Weather was absolutely perfect today and the lake was beautiful. There’s some decent camping spots at the lake too. The only drawback would be that there’s not much exploring to do one your up there as it’s pretty steep all around the lake.
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Snow starts to cover the trail about halfway up. Very compact. Up is overall fairly easy and those who have worn spikes have torn up the ice giving boots traction. The top is VERY windy and quite cold. We layered up and still had frozen fingers. Saw a couple groups camping. One had a fire going. The edge by the lake is just a sheet of ice. Going down I would recommend some type of traction. There are a few slightly steep sports that have snowy/ice on top and are very slick.
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it's a nice walk through some old growth forest with passing through series of water falls, we did our hike on November 8th, the last 1/2 of the hike was through icy and slippery trail, traction devices highly recommended if you want to enjoy the scenery instead of watching every step you take, the lake was beautiful
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Started at 7 am, was the fifth car in the parking lot. While going uphill, crossed paths with 5 people in all. On the way back, crossed paths with 15 ppl. Still, not bad for a sunny day in Seattle when you can expect people going crazy.
The trail is snow free first 30%, then intermittent snow for next 20% and persistent snow for the last 50% of the hike. The hike also crosses around half a dozen snowfields at the end which can be quite treacherous later in the day due to two reasons 1) steep drop offs on the right and 2) the snow is melting and there is a chance of postholing into the boulders below. Be aware of these hazards, possibly not take kids to this hike.
Carry gps, waterproof boots, poles.
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Public Tracks
Annette Lake Trail
This was our 3rd time here. Pretty easy hike, with lots of different landscapes and distractions off-trail :)Very well maintained trail, with an awesome tree-bridge. tons of small waterfalls and streams dot this trail during the winter, and are simply dried up during the summer, so it's like two different hikes. The lake itself is beautiful, but pretty cold due to lack of protection. The trees are NOT dense around the lake, so the wind whips through here pretty good. It was because of this hike that we went out and bought a Pocket Rocket and some small fire supplies). Beautiful hike.Great one for running down. Fairly steep climb, but nothing too drastic. We ran the entire way down, and made really great time.
Annette Lake Trail No. 1019
Came back here to see what it was like in the fall/winter, and wow. So many waterfalls and streams that just weren't here in the summer. This place is awesome. Pretty cold at the lake, because there's really not a lot of protection. The trees are NOT dense around the lake, so the wind whips through if there's inclement weather (which there was). It was because of this hike that we went out and bought a Pocket Rocket and some small fire supplies). Beautiful hike.
Annette Lake Trail
Awesome trail. Almost nobody on here, and it was packed full of great distractions (waterfalls, bridges, etc, etc).
Great one for running down. Fairly steep climb, but nothing too drastic. We ran the entire way down, and made really great time. Great spots at the lake for lumch!
Annette Lake - 6/24/23 7:32:02 AM
It is evident that a lot of work has been done on this trail since I hiked it two years ago.
North Bend Hike
Recorded on Garmin Instinct
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/20531534104
North Bend Hike
Recorded on Garmin Instinct
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/20531534104
Lake Annette
512 stairs built into trail in addition to naturally occurring rock/root steps
Annette Lake (6/29/20, 8:42:54AM)
All day hike. Intermediate. Bring food and plenty of water. The best payoff
Annette Lake Hike
Mothers Day. Started after 6 but was able to get off before dark.
Annette Lake
Bluebird day, snow was packed down. clear trail. done w/squid
Snoqualmie Pass Hike
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/18422681521
Snoqualmie Pass Hike
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/17868623198
Lake Annette (up) (10/29/20, 9:18:12AM)
Lake Annette one way (3.85mi)