Top 10 Hikes to do in Washington this Summer

Summer time is truly one of the most magical times in Washington State. Snow-free trails and access to some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Wildflower meadows, icy blue lakes, and summit views that will literally blow your mind – these are 10 beautiful summer hikes that you need to do in Washington state this summer!

1. emmons moraine trail

So it’s the summertime and you want to find a magical, icy blue lake to jump into after hiking to cool off? Well, you gotta hike Emmons Moraine Trail at Mount Rainier National Park! It is super easy trail to get to this lake until you have to scramble to get to the bottom and to the lake. The trail starts out in a windy, cool forest filled with little surprise waterfalls along the way. The forest opens up into an awe inspiring view of the park with Mount Rainier peakin’ in all it’s glory. Once you reach a wooden bridge and cross the river you will go up a steep little section and then you will reach the top and overlook this beautiful, milky blue lake.

Fork off the main Emmons Moraine Trail (or keep going to find some glaciers and more views) but we decided to head down to the lake for swimming and picnic-ing. It is VERY rocky and quite a scramble to get down to this lake, so be very careful and watch your footing. There was a small group already down there swimming, but they were finishing up, and we had the WHOLE LAKE TO OURSELVES! It was stunning. Completely beautiful and breathtaking. We packed our swimsuits because we knew we just had to jump into this unreal colored water.

We were all sweaty from our hike, and it felt oh so good to dive right into the cool lake. Most lakes in Washington are utterly freezing, but this one was actually not too bad! It was comfortable to float around in the beautifully blue colored water and enjoy the sunshine. We spent the rest of the long summer day lounging around and enjoying this breathtaking site.

2. summit lake trail

Location: Clearwater Wilderness
Miles: 5.7 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 1,443 ft
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes

Summit Lake Trail is located in the Clearwater Wilderness (very close to Mount Rainier National Park). What’s really great, is that since it is not in the National Park, it’s dog friendly! To get up to the trailhead, you have to drive up a very steep, and rock covered road. So make sure you have an strong vehicle (and stomach) to make it to the trailhead! Start the trail winding up a beautiful forest and arrive at your first lake – Twin Lake. This was where we saw our first black bear (hiking in early July). We were looking at the lake and taking some photos, and then, like a unicorn, a black bear walks out to go down to the lake. There were some people talking and a dog playing in the water, so the black bear got a little spooked and headed back to the forest. It was one of the most magical moments of my life (I might’ve cried).

After Twin Lake, you’ll make your way up the forest and arrive at Summit Lake. We sat by this ultra blue lake and had some trail snacks and took in the view. Once you arrive at the lake, don’t stop your adventure there! You still have to make it to the summit, which has the best views of them all. As you make your way up a steep incline to the summit, be rewarded with alpine meadows, sprinkled with infinite wildflowers.

As you climb higher, you’ll get amazing views of the lake from above (I swear it turns bluer and bluer the higher up you go from it). Once you reach the summit, you’ll be smacked right in the face with beautiful and majestic Mount Rainier (if you’re lucky enough to catch it on a clear day). The views are spectacular. We went on a cloudier and more moody day, but we cannot imagine what this place looks like on a sunny day.

3. pinnacle peak trail

Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Miles: 2.4 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 1,056 ft
Pass: National Park Pass
Dog Friendly: No

Pinnacle Peak Trail is right next to the popular Reflection Lake. Park at the Reflection Lake parking lot, and be sure to get there early during peak summertime, since during the late afternoon the lot is completely full and chaotic with tourists catching views of beautiful Rainier reflecting on a lake. This trail is a great workout since there aren’t too many miles to achieve a good amount of elevation in.

The trail starts off on a solid dirt ground, winding through wildflower meadows. Then most of the trail is completely uncovered, with large rocks that welcome you as the new trail (oh hey thanks rocks)! Watch your footing, as you climb over the rocky terrain, and make sure to bring a lot of water! It was hot as the sun blared down on us as we climbed up to barren and rocky trail. As you climb, the views get better and better of the mountainous landscape and massive rainier towering behind you in all it’s majesty.

4. cascade pass trail

Location: North Cascades National Park
Miles: 6.5 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 1,781 ft
Pass: National Park Pass
Dog Friendly: No

The trail switchbacks through a cool forest up into a beautiful pass filled with mountain views and wildflowers galore. But, be ready to work for you summer wonderland filled views – there are a ton of switchbacks! We weren’t counting until we passed an older couple on our way up who asked us if we wanted to know how many more switchbacks we had until we hit the top.

We said sure let us have it – and they told us 6. So we thought it would be funny on our return hike (because it was the most switchbacks we have ever done on a trail) to count how many total switchbacks there were on this trail. We counted 36 switchbacks to be exact! PHEW! My legs hurt just thinking about it. But once you hike your booty off, the views are so worth it.

5. maple pass loop trail

Location: North Cascades National Park
Miles: 7.8 Loop
Elevation Gain: 2,257 ft
Pass: National Park Pass
Dog Friendly: No

Maple Pass Trail is located in North Cascades National Park, and is one of the best trails to do in the summer. We actually did not get to complete this loop, we had to turn around due to a thunderstorm that came in (and we did not want to mess with mother nature). But for the short time we were on this trail, it was spectacular. It is definitely a hard climb, but the views in the end are so worth it. My jaw literally dropped when I saw a crystal blue lake (Rainy Lake) with a waterfall cascading down into it. Definitely on our list to hike this trail again this summer so we can complete it! (Fingers crossed for no thunderstorms this time)!

P.S. You gotta stop by Diablo Lake on your drive to the trail – a must do! So insanely blue and beautiful!

6. annette lake trail

Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Miles: 8.4 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 2,132 ft
Pass: Recreation Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes

Annette Lake trail is located in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and this is the perfect trail for a summer day hike. Pro-tip: bring a blow up float tube so you can float in the ice cold water when you get to the lake! You’ll be so hot and sweaty from hiking to the top, you’ll want to dive right into the lake when you get there. BUT the water is freezing! The floatie helps keep you cool, but keeps most of your body out of the water to absorb the warm sun. It’s perfect, trust me!

7. beckler peak

Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Miles: 7.2 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 2,253 ft
Pass: None
Dog Friendly: Yes

Beckler Peak is a beautiful hike through a forest, where you’ll end up at the most incredible summit. The views are out of this world. We had the whole summit to ourselves, and sat up there and took in the view for a while. I absolutely love when the moody clouds roll through the pines and mountains. Something truly magical and mysterious about it.

8. melakwa lake via denny creek trail

Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Miles: 9.7 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 2,680 ft
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes

Melakwa Lake via Denny Creek Trail was definitely such a gem to find so close to Seattle! We had already hiked Franklin Falls trail (right next to it) so we decided to take Denny Creek Trail to go see Keekwulee Falls. It was a very easy and beautiful hike to reach this magnificent waterfall. I was shocked, and literally felt like I was teleported to Hawaii. We decided we were up to do a hard hike up to a lake called Melakwa Lake since it was early and we still had the whole day ahead of us! It is a hard rated hike to get up to the lake, hiking over lots of loose and jagged rocks. Once we got up to the lake, we set up our hammock, and soaked in the beautiful summer landscape around us.

9. SOURDOUGH GAP AND SHEEP LAKE

Location: Mount Rainier Wilderness
Miles: 5.9 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 1,299 ft
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes

Located near Mount Rainier National Park, Sourdough Gap and Sheep Lake is another hike that is dog friendly since it skirts the national park, but isn’t truly in the park. It is a very easy and beautiful hike to get to the lake. Once we got to the lake, we laid out a blanket and had a picnic while our pup played in the water. After our picnic, we headed out to do more exploring. We hiked around the lake, which was covered in meadows of wildflowers and winding trail. Breathtaking! Then we took the trail up to Sourdough Gap, which is more moderate, and definitely harder than the hike to get to the lake. The view down onto Sheep Lake as you hike higher is amazing, and well worth the hike. Once you get up to the summit of Sourdough Gap, there will be an incredible view of Mount Rainier!

10. tolmie peak lookout

Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Miles: 6.4 Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 1,522 ft
Pass: National Park Pass
Dog Friendly: No

Tolmie Peak might be our most favorite hike we have done in Washington yet. But also weighing in our perfect sunrise weather conditions and hiking with good friends, it definitely made it level up from everything else! Located at Mount Rainier National Park, Tolmie Peak Lookout takes you up a trail that leads you to a fire lookout. The trail starts off in a shaded forest that takes you up to a beautiful blue lake called Eunice Lake.

From Eunice Lake on the trail, if you look up, you’ll see a tiny little speck that is the fire lookout. It definitely looks intimidating, but don’t quit on this final push to the top! You’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular view of Mount Rainier and the cascading mountains that surround it. Highly recommend catching sunrise here, it was pure magic.

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