Mileage: 11.5 miles RT (from original trailhead to end of Deer Lake)
Elevation Gain/Highest: 1600ft/38ooft
Map: Green Trails Stevens Pass No. 176
My favorite places to stop post hike with friends are: Grilla Bites, Route 2 Taproom and Grazing Place, Good Brewing Company, Espresso Chalet, Gustav’s, Yodelin’s Broth Company, Dan’s Food Market, Leavenworth Cider House 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 to Dorothy, Bear, Deer (and Snoqualmie) Lakes is a popular destination in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, especially now that folks are making it a thru hike from the Snoqualmie Pass area on the Snoqualmie Lake Trail. Despite the road being closed 4 miles from the trailhead, it offers a great beginner backpacking location with ample campsites and beautiful lake vistas.
From the “new” trailhead, it is a 3.9 walk (or bike ride) to the original trailhead, .6 miles to the large iron bridge that crosses Camp Robber Creek and 1.4 miles to the outlet for Dorothy Lake for a total of 5.3 miles. Expect many stairs, as well as roots and rocks. From here, the trail sits above the lake and makes its way around its long length to campsites (and toilets) on the second half where the trail is closer to the shore (starting at about 2.3 miles from the original trailhead or 6.2 from where you park now).
The inlet to Dorothy is at 3.3 miles and depending on the time of year, a rock hop is possible. There are more campsites and another toilet before you begin the climb up to the twins, Bear and Dear Lakes. Don’t forget to gaze down upon Dorothy as you make your way up!
Bear and Deer are smaller and quieter lakes separated by a small stretch of land that also has campsites and where Bear flows into Deer. This point is about 5.5 miles from the original trailhead and makes a great turn around point for day hikers.
From Deer Lake you descend down to Snoqualmie Lake another 2 miles or so and then out on the Snoqualmie Lake Trail and Taylor River Connector if so desired for a total of 14.5 miles one way. Be warned, you see Snoqualmie Lake long before you actually reach her!
My Hike:
8/1/2024
It was well past time to get back to Dorothy, Bear and Deer despite the 4 extra miles to the trailhead. You can read more about my adventure on My Kind of Triathlon.
7/28/2015, 9/28/2014
I have visited the trail to Lake Dorothy, Bear, Deer, and Snoqualmie twice now, once in the summer and once in the fall. Both were lovely. The first time I led a Meetup group and we made it just pass Lake Deer before it was decided it was the turn around point for the group. Careful not to blink after Lake Bear or you will miss that Deer is a different lake. On the second hike, I was with another Meetup group and we made it all the way to Snoqualmie Lake past Lake Deer, making it a 16 mile day. The water was low enough that day to waterslide the creek crossing on our way out!
Directions: Drive east on HWY 2 and just past MP 45 turn right on the road signed for Money Creek Campground. It says closed but you will turn right on Miller Road when it does. Drive 9 miles to the TH (FR 6410 to 6412). Northwest Forest Pass needed. As of 1/1/2021, the road is closed 4 miles from the trailhead adding 8 miles to the trip.
Click here for more hikes along HWY 2.
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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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