John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2026-10-15

Location: Snow Lake

People: (including myself): Becki Kennedy

				Alt.	Miles
Alpental Trailhead:	9:15	3120	0
Source Lake trail:	10:15	3880	1.7
Pass:			10:50	4400	2.4
Snow Lake (lunch):	11:30	4040	3.2
Leave:			12:05
Pass:			12:55	4400	4.2
High point:			4515	4.4
Source Lake overlook:	1:45	4100	5
Main Trail:		2:15	3880	5.3
Trailhead:		3:15	3120	7

The trail starts from the Alpental parking lot at Snoqualmie Pass.  This is a popular trail, and there were quite a few other hikers, but it never felt crowded. 

The trail initially climbs steeply, using stairsteps, up the side of the valley for about an eighth mile before the slope abates a bit.  The trail follows the valley above the South Fork Snoqualmie River, which has its origins at Source Lake near the head of the valley. 

The trail was nice in some places, but on others it was rather rocky which make our progress slower.  The part of the trail south of the pass is sunny and warmer than the north side.  Near the head of the valley a less maintained side trail heads out to an overlook above Source Lake.  A more "rustic" trail continues from the overlook up to the ridge to connect back at the pass.  We thought we might take that scenic detoure on the way down.  We continued on the main trail which switchbacks up the steeper hillside, eventually reaching the pass and the first views of Snow Lake. 

We descended down to near the lake.  There is a side trail for lake access just before the Snow Lake Backcountry Camping area.  Here there were a number of small pools/ponds with some pretty cascades and nice reflections.  We continued on the trail a bit further to a point that had a nice rock outcropping.  Here we stopped for lunch.  The views were great, but there was a cold wind coming off the lake, and we layered up due to the chill. 

After lunch we started back.  We took the detour out to the lake access.  In hindsight, that might have made a better place for lunch as it was a bit more protected and not as chilly there.  Something to remember for next time. 

The climb back up to the pass warmed us.  At the pass we decided to take the scenic detour to the Source Lake overlook.  The trail there was marked as "unmaintained" on the Alltrails map, but it wasn't bad even if rougher than the main trail.  The detour only adds about a half mile of distance, but it also added 50 minutes and about another 100 feet of gain going over a knoll west of the pass.  This trail goes over the knoll above some steep sections of the valley headwall before descending down to the Source Lake overlook.  It then returns to the main trail passing under the above mentioned steep sections of hillside. 

On the south side of the pass it was sunny, warm, without much wind, and it got warm.  I went from four layers at lunch by the lake to just a t-shirt. 

It was a lovely day with some great views, though there wasn't as much autumn color as I had hoped there might be. 

On the drive home, we took a quick stop at Snoqualmie Falls.  They were pretty but not too impressive as the water level wasn't that high. 

Autumn color along trail

Interesting mushrooms

Cascade near Snow Lake

Reflecting pool near Snow Lake

Snow Lake from near the pass

Source Lake from overlook