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FALL HIKING  

Eight distinctively different hikes, varying in length from 2 to 11 miles, lead directly from High Camp to several rewarding destinations. Six of the hikes lead the backcountry traveler into spectacular scenery of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Fishing is excellent in all of the lakes in the region. Wildflowers still abound in late August and early September. Brilliant fall colors begin their month-long display in mid-September and the dramatic changing of the larch trees begins in early October. Wilderness permits are available for hikers in the day lodge at High Camp.


High Camp HIKES
  • Sunset Meadow and Nature Trail - 1 1/2 miles round trip
  • Inspiration Lookout and Stegosaurus Rock - 2 miles round trip
  • McCue Ridge - 3 1/2 miles
  • Lake Julius and Loch Eileen - 6 miles round trip
  • Lake Chiwaukum - 7 miles round trip
  • Lake Donald/ High Meadows - 7 miles round trip
  • Lake Ethel - 9 miles round trip
  • Larch Lake - 11 miles round trip
SUNSET MEADOW AND NATURE TRAIL (1 ½ miles round trip)
This short family hike is an ideal way to begin your exploration of the wonderfully scenic Chiwaukum Mountains! Pick up a free nature trail guide in the lodge and watch for the numbered markers all along
the way. To reach the trail, follow Summer Trail for the first hundred yards. At a prominent junction,
turn left and follow the winding route as it climbs to the top of Wild Bill Hill and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary. Enjoy the spectacular views of Snowgrass and Big Chiwaukum summits from Sunset Meadow. Feast on the dramatic vistas of Glacier Peak and other distant Cascade peaks as you return to High Camp.

INSPIRATION LOOKOUT AND STEGOSAURUS ROCK (2 miles round trip)
This short, somewhat steep, hike leads to two great vantage points above High Camp. Follow the Summer Trail to its end (about ½ mile) and proceed straight ahead on the Cliffhanger ski trail. Continue up this trail
for about ¼ mile to Inspiration Lookout and enjoy the stunning views of Glacier Peak and other summits to the north and east. For even better views, proceed upward and swing to the west, ascending
a short, steep section of trail. Within a few minutes arrive at Stegosaurus Rock. Views abound in every direction. The prominent mountain to the southeast is Big Jim. Look carefully and see if you can spot
the bright green roof of one of the cabins at High Camp far below you. Experienced back country travelers may wish to proceed cross-country in a westerly direction to reach the upper glades on McCue Ridge.

McCUE RIDGE (3 ½ miles round trip, plus roaming)
Great views of the Chiwaukum Mountains and the Central Washington Plateau are among the many highlights of this outstanding hike. Please secure your wilderness permit at the lodge before beginning.
Take the Summer Trail and turn right on Low Road, following it to the junction with the forest service trail. (Ridgetop ski trail) Turn left and climb for about ½ mile to the crest of the ridge. Follow the trail until it
begins to drop into the Chiwaukum drainage. At this point, head west off the trail and begin exploring the high, expansive meadows, enjoying the great panorama of mountains and plains in all directions.

For those with a strong sense of adventure and good alpine scrambling skills, follow the faint path that begins at the prominent high point about one mile west of the trail. The route traverses a narrow, often
rocky route with dramatic views of the lakes on both sides of McCue Ridge. After reaching the saddle directly above Lake Donald, continue climbing in a northwesterly direction, winding upward through groves
of larch trees. Regain the ridge crest and follow it to Tamarack Point where the reward is dramatic views
of Larch Lake and Ewing Basin. Proceed westward, slowly losing elevation until arriving at a second saddle. Turn northward, dropping immediately into the upper High Meadows. Continue route-finding downward over rocks and through meadows, passing many small tarns. A southeast bearing will eventually bring you to
the intersection of the marked route between Loch Eileen and Lake Donald.

LAKE JULIUS AND LOCH EILEEN (6 miles round trip)
Two distinctively different, highly scenic alpine lakes are your reward for taking this hike. Leave from High Camp on the Summer Trail and turn right onto Low Road at the signed junction. Hike Low Road to its end (about ¾ mile) and turn right when you reach the forest service trail (Ridgetop ski trail.) In about 75 yards
the trail swings left. Follow this trail for about ½ mile where it briefly meets the end of the road.(Note: an alternate route is to walk the road for 1.6 miles to reach this point.) Sign in at the trail register and secure your wilderness permit. Continue on the Lake Julius Ski Trail as it drops down to Roaring Creek. Cross
the creek on the log bridge and immediately arrive at a junction. Turn left and climb gradually upward,
arriving at the outlet of Lake Julius in about ¼ mile. To continue on to Loch Eileen, follow the trail as it passes Lake Julius on the north side and then swings northwest. The trail steepens significantly, but it's only half a mile to Loch Eileen. Be sure to notice the grove of larch trees just south of the outlet. In
October these deciduous conifer trees turn gold before losing their needles.

LAKE CHIWAUKUM (7 miles round trip)
The largest lake in the area sits in the shadow of the rugged Chiwaukum Mountains beneath the south slopes of McCue Ridge. Secure your wilderness permit at the lodge before beginning this hike. Follow the Summer Trail and Low Road to the junction with the forest service trail. (Note: an alternate route is to hike
the road for about one mile to the beginning of the Ridgetop ski route and follow the blue diamonds until
you meet the regular trail.) Turn left and climb about ½ mile to the crest of the ridge. Remain on the trail
as it crosses the ridge and then drops several hundred feet to Chiwaukum Lake. If you have extra time, follow the trail down to Honor Lake. Cross the outlet and scramble steeply up the hill to reach the Jason Lakes.

LAKE DONALD AND THE HIGH MEADOWS (7 miles round trip plus roaming)
A beautiful off-trail alpine lake and miles of open meadows with easy scrambles await the energetic hiker.
To reach Lake Donald, follow the directions to Loch Eileen. (Don't forget to sign in for your wilderness
permit at the beginning of the Lake Julius trail.) Cross the outlet at Loch Eileen and proceed on the faint
path that heads upward in a southwesterly direction. Continue heading in this general direction for about
½ mile, following the series of rock cairns, and soon arrive at Lake Donald. Above the lake, the High Meadows beckon everywhere. The prominent high point to the north is locally known as Baldy, a favorite destination for telemarkers in winter. An easy walk-up brings you to its summit with excellent views of
Nason Ridge, countless peaks in all directions and even Highway 2 far below. To reach a stunning view
of Larch Lake (featured on this year's postcard), scramble west up McCue Ridge from Lake Donald for
about one mile to Tamarack Point.

LAKE ETHEL (9 miles round trip)
An exhilarating hike along a high, lonesome ridge brings you to an extremely beautiful lake that borders
a classic old growth forest. To reach Lake Ethel, follow the directions to Lake Julius and Loch Eileen, remembering to stop and secure a wilderness permit at the entry point. At the junction immediately
after the creek crossing, continue straight ahead on the trail marked "Upper Roaring Creek." The trail
soon climbs several hundred feet and begins traversing a long, open ridge with expansive views to the
north and east. After about a mile of ridge walking, the trail begins to drop steeply and enters a first
growth forest of spruce and Douglas fir. Turn left at the signed junction and proceed a few hundred yards
to the lake. Enjoy the solitude while you explore the shoreline. If you're lucky, you might spot a black
bear feeding on berries high on the open hillside well above the lake.

LARCH LAKE (11 miles round trip)
The ultimate hike from High Camp takes you through a high, wild basin to one of the most beautiful
mountain lakes in the entire Cascade Range. This hike is rewarding anytime of the year, but is a
must during early and mid-October when the larch trees are changing color. To reach Larch Lake, secure your wilderness permit at the lodge and follow the directions to Chiwaukum Lake. When you arrive at this lake, turn right on the trail, cross the inlet and begin climbing in a southerly direction. As you ascend, the lower forest begins to thin, and you soon emerge into Ewing Basin, complete with boulders, marmots, waterfalls and broad hillsides of larch trees. About two miles from Chiwaukum Lake arrive at Larch Lake,
set in an absolutely stunning locale beneath a classic backdrop of rugged peaks. If you have time head
up to Cup Lake, which sits a few hundred feet above Larch Lake to the west. Be sure to allow plenty of
time to safely return to the warmth and comfort of High Camp before nightfall.

Consult the Green Trails "Chiwaukum Mountains" map for a more detailed look at the scenic east slopes of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Please note that High Camp is shown as a geographic feature on this map. A copy of the hiking guide is provided to all guests.