Trail stats
Distance: 10.9 KM (loop)
Elevation gain: 662m
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Parking: Yes, the parking lot costs $5 or you can park on the side of the highway free of charge
Getting to the trailhead
The trail is located in the North Cascades National Park and you will find the trailhead along Highway 20, about an hour drive from Newhalem. You are looking for Rainy Lake trailhead. It is right before the Blue Lake trailhead.
The Trail
This is one of the most iconic trails in the North Cascades, probably coming second to Cascade Pass. Because of this, it’s very popular, especially since it’s manageable for hikers of all levels. The elevation gain is largely felt the closer you get to the top, but the start of the hike is a gradual incline and doesn’t require too much effort due to the switchbacks.
The trail begins through a forested area before opening up to a view of Rainy Lake, which will remain in your eyeline for most of the way up to the top. The switchbacks continue up the mountain, so the view of the lake keeps getting better and better the higher you climb. The landscape also opens up into beautiful wildflower meadows and there are incredible views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. It is prime pika territory, so you will definitely either see or hear some pikas along the way.
There was surprisingly a small bit of snow at the top of the mountain, so if you were doing this in the early summer you may need some spikes. The Cascades are undoubtedly beautiful any time of the year, but the autumnal colors that spread across the meadows are amazing to witness, especially on a blue-sky day.
It is all downhill on the return, so it’s pretty fast getting back down to the trailhead. You’ll lose sight of Rainy Lake, but eventually reach an overlook of another lake that is equally beautiful.
Tips / Advice
Remember to pay the fee if you use the parking lot
You can hike this in either direction since it’s a loop
The North Cascades National Park is free to enter
