Mileage: 3.5 miles RT (to the lake), 7 miles RT (to summit)
Elevation Gain/Highest: 1905 ft/5560 (lake), 2700ft/6362ft (summit)
Map: Green Trails Benchmark No. 144, my GAIA
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:
The trail begins at the end of a rough forest road and heads straight up a fisherman’s trail through the forest. You will wonder if it is all worth it until you break out at alpine meadows and the isolated Minotaur Lake with Labyrinth Mountain towering in the background. Several paths go on either side of the lake but the best one goes to the right and up onto a ridge that looks down on Theseus Lake. From here you continue on a scramble to Labyrinth if you have the fortitude and skill, the views from the top highlight the Glacier Peak Wilderness!
My Hikes:
9/27/2018
We returned to Labyrinth on with the fall colors popping and huckleberries still available for grazing! I made sure to tag the actual summit this time (there is a large summit close by better for enjoying lunch and the views). This hike is not much more than a well worn climber’s path heading straight up through the trees on the fall line towards Minotaur Lake at 5570ft. You think you get a break around 600 feet up but then it just keeps going!
Shortly after crossing the Henry M Jackson Wilderness boundary, it does let up somewhat as the evergreens thin to make way for meadow. As you approach the lake, if you cross the outlet onto the right, you can follow a boot path to views of Theseus down below and on towards the scramble of Labyrinth Mountain at 6362ft. There is more than one path to follow depending on your comfort level with scrambling rocks, just try and stay on the soil and rock and off the delicate heather meadows and vegetation.
8/3/2106
We had a lovely day hike up to Lake Minotaur and Labyrinth Mountain, despite the steep climb and annoying bugs. Luckily, there was a nice cool breeze for most of the hike, except for when we were on the summit. Then the bugs set in. The wild flowers were out and the clouds were drifting in from the west but dissipating as soon as the crossed over the ridge.
Although there is a trail around the west side of Minotaur, if you want to make to Labyrinth (without a major scramble) go around on the east side towards Theseus. The snow is all melted up to the summit and there are quite a few possible bootpaths up. My guess is they will all get you there eventually, depending on how much rock you want to scramble.
The clouds parted enough to see Rainier and Glacier, and it was fun to look back to the west where I was last week on the Pacific Crest Trail and Top Lake Trail, glimpsing the shimmering Heather Lake, as well.
Directions: Head east on Hwy 2 from Monroe for 58 miles to Stevens Pass, and turn north onto Road 6700 (Smithbrook). Look for where the highway divides and there is a left turn for FS 6700. Be cautious crossing the westbound lanes of Hwy 2. Once on FS 6700, follow the road 6.8 miles. Note that 5 miles into 6700 the road makes a hairpin left turn. After 6.8 miles on 6700, turn left onto Road 6704. Proceed 20 yards up the road, keeping an eye out for a sign for Minotaur trailhead that is pretty beatup. Continue 0.9 miles to end of the road.
For more hikes along HWY 2, click HERE.
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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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