Mileage: 7.8 miles RT
Elevation Gain/Highest: 3300ft/4600ft
Map: Green Trails Monte Cristo No. 143
Favorite Eats After Hike:
My favorite places to stop post hike with friends are: Grilla Bites, Route 2 Taproom and Grazing Place, Good Brewing Company, River House Cafe, Espresso Chalet, Gustav’s, Yodelin’s Broth Company, South, Dan’s Food Market, or just Pack A Cooler. You can learn more about these places in my Must Hike Must Eat Eating Out Guide.
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
Hike Details:
Blanca Lake is a jade dream nestled in a grand mountain cirque in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The trail travels steeply up, past modest Virgin Lake and then drops down to the shores of Blanca. Expect a lot of company as many hikers flock to her shores for Instagram worthy shots.
My trip reports:
11/11/2015
Our winter storm brought a winter wonderland last night, what a treat today. Trail was snow covered by 3500 ft, in some places I sunk to me knees. I got a late start, there were 3 folks ahead of me so postholing had already started, but I had the lake to myself while I was there.
A crowd of hikers came in behind me, so the snow was tampered down on the way back to my car. Even on a day like this, I saw some in their red flannel pajamas and drenched Keds. Don’t forget to check the NOAA website in the above current conditions link before you go!
10/21/2014
This was my first time up the majestic Blanca Lake, I had heard so much about it I hoped it lived up to it’s reputation. I was leading a Meetup group that included a few friends, as well. We got to the TH early, there were about 4 other cars in the lot. The trail starts off with switchbacks, it had us climbing quickly through the forest at a good incline of a 1000ft a mile. Not shabby.
Although we had the trail pretty much to ourselves, our group wasn’t moving at breakneck speed so it was about the time we headed up the bit of scramble at the ridge line before Virgin Lake that we started being passed by hikers aiming to get the lake first. We came out at the viewpoint above Virgin Lake and the wilderness boundary; fall colors had the meadow in reds and greens. Virgin isn’t the prettiest thing, especially when you know you have Blanca waiting for you. It did have some nice reflections of the foliage, however.
Then, it’s down, down, down on a rocky, slick, root covered trail to the aquamarine waters of Blanca Lake. It was even more amazing than in the pictures. Too bad it was marred by irresponsible hikers and some idiot camped right on the shoreline. It wasn’t long before the banks and surrounding scree and trees were filled with people. I am glad I have been to see it myself but I won’t be returning on a regular basis.
The trip down involved passing over 100 people, most looking ill-prepared for hiking. I was glad I went, but I will definitely not go on a weekend again. It would be nice to see a ranger stationed here or evidence of caretaking. Editor’s note: the fact the road has washed out has reduced crowds slightly…
Directions: Just past the town of Skykomish on HWY 2 from Monroe, turn left on to FR 65 or Beckler River Road. Drive 12.5 miles and arrive at Jack Pass, a 5 way junction. Taking the second left, drive 2.3 miles descending to a junction with FR 63 and the private Garland Mineral Springs Road. Take a right on FR 63 and proceed about 2 miles. The trailhead is on a small spur road to the left, up another small hill. As of this post, the road is washed out at Garland Mineral Springs, adding another 5 miles RT to this hike. There is limited parking at the junction, please don’t block the road for others. Northwest Forest Pass required.
For more hikes in the area, visit my HWY 2 page.
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Need some eating out suggestions when friends want to stop after a hike? I have a Pacific Northwest Eating Guide here.
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