Joe Lake, ALWThe short way to Joe Lake is not the easy way. My use of the term "way" instead of "trail" to describe Gold Creek is intentional. If you want a trail, take the Pacific Crest Trail over Kendall Katwalk, and clamber down the scree slope to Joe Lake. The short way is via the Gold Creek Trail, which is an easy stroll as far as the crossing of Gold Creek. From there, the trail disappears, and this is a route-finding exercise.
Photo: Joe Lake. Avalanche slope at right; Mt. Thompson in background.
And exercise it is, climbing about 1,000 feet in the last mile. When you finally get to Joe Lake, you'll forget about how hard it was. The basin is beautiful, and the lake is large and clear. An interesting sequence of events leaves tiny icebergs in the lake: An active avalanche slope piles snow onto the frozen lake all winter. When the ice melts, the snow breaks off and falls into the water in large chunks. The chunks float around, melt, multiply. Their mother snowpile is persistent, refusing to melt, even in late summer.
From the Gold Creek trailhead it's about two miles to Fondler's Cove, in the woods, creekside, just beyond a gravel bar, and a couple of nice Friday-night campsites. Another mile brings you to the crossing of Gold Creek. Above you and to the east is Rampart Ridge, whose lakes drain into a waterfall, visible as you get close to the crossing. Fording at this narrow point can be tricky. Some years there's a good tree crossing; some years, not. Get across somehow, and there's another campsite in the trees.
Blueberry bushes obscure what's left of the trail, especially after the turnoff to Alaska Lake. Continue along the valley wall, climbing wherever possible (you gotta do it sometime), and fording a couple of small tributaries along the way. Joe Lake's outlet feeds a waterfall, which may or may not be running in dry seasons. I went to the right of that, following a shoulder up to the basin. The tall steel pole is used for measuring snowpacks from airplanes. Strange, to come this far and find such a structure. There's plenty of room to camp near the lake's outlet.
Stats: 6.5 miles, elevation gain 2020', high point 4640.
Getting there: From I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, take the Hyak exit (two miles east of the summit) and take the old highway, which parallels the freeway on the north side. Cross the creek on a bridge and take the next left, a dirt road. Follow this about a mile to a fork, where the right fork is gated. Park somewhere, but do not block the gate. The gate keeps the stupid-tires club out of a private cabin development, but you are permitted to walk the dirt road the half mile from the gate to the actual trailhead.
Permits: Currently, you self-register at a box where the dirt road turns into a trail. Changes are in the works, so contact the ranger station for the latest permit restrictions.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.