Lodge Lake, Beaver Lake, and Olallie Meadow

At the very top of Snoqualmie Pass, this short jaunt down the Pacific Crest Trail features mountain views, masses of summer wildflowers, and a duo of pleasant lakes.  The trail ducks into forest at the trailhead, but shortly emerges onto the mountainside ski slopes, which it traverses for approximately 0.60 miles/1.00 km.  The artificially treeless swath creates a permanent alpine meadow where wildflowers proliferate in the summer months (when not mown by the ski resort) and views stretch to the imposing peaks beyond the pass.  After cresting the ridge above the slopes, the trail skirts marshy Beaver Lake and then enters lush, old-growth woodland for the remainder of its distance to Lodge Lake.  The trail nearly passes Lodge Lake before a short side trail, marked by a small sign posted high on a trailside tree, departs for its southern shore on the right. The shoreline is boggy with dense forest continuing to its very edge, but a few lakeside logs provide vantages to enjoy the view.

Given its ease of access in the summer months, the trail to Lodge Lake can become quite busy on weekends and holidays, especially along the limited lakeshore; however, it makes a pleasant weekday getaway or roadside break.  Given its popularity, the trail is also worn to bare rocks and roots in many places — be prepared with appropriate footwear or trekking poles as necessary for your comfort.  If attempting this trail as a snowshoeing track in winter, beware of skiers crossing your path and check avalanche forecasts, as the vast, unobstructed mountainside has some potential for snowslides. The whir of traffic on nearby Interstate 90 is nearly constant, although it is lost occasionally in the otherwise tranquil woodland between the lakes.

Past Lodge Lake, the Pacific Crest Trail continues (all the way to Mexico), offering options to extend your hike to points beyond.  Olallie Meadow, just 2.60 miles/4.20 km farther, is a convenient turnaround.  The less-trodden trail generally flattens, continuing through mostly second-growth conifer forest.  Halfway to the meadow, it crosses a great boulderfield, which affords views of the upper Snoqualmie Valley far below and its many surrounding peaks.  Just beyond the talus and the Rockdale Creek crossing (which is easily accomplished on the plentiful stones amid the stream), the trail joins one of the many sinuous turns and offshoots of Forest Road 9070; turn right onto the road and follow it for almost 0.30 miles/0.50 km until signage indicates where the trail continues left.  A little farther, the trail again crosses the road, but is easily seen on its opposite side.  Along the road, keep an eye out for several official Pacific Crest Trail posts (or their remnants) that mark the correct route. The rumble of traffic trundling down Interstate 90 on the valley floor below disappears shortly before the trail reaches Olallie Meadow, rendering it a peaceful respite seemingly far from anywhere.  Around the meadow — which is actually more a bog — look for unique alpine flora and try to guess what forest creatures left the many tracks visible on its soft edges.

The meadow and lakes can also be reached in reverse order by accessing the Pacific Crest Trail farther south on Forest Road 9070 at Windy Pass, per the “Directions to Alternate Route” above, although, depending on conditions, the road may not be suitable for all vehicles.  The round-trip distance is similar, as Olallie Meadow lies a scant 0.50 miles/0.80 km from Forest Road 9070. At Windy Pass, one can also add a little or a lot of distance to the hike by picking up either the nearby Mount Catherine Trail or Cold Creek-Pacific Crest Trail loop along Forest Road 9070.

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