Bottom Line:
After some low cloud and snow over the weekend, a perfect bluebird day on the trail! Quiet - only saw 6 other hikers all day. The approach from Twisp is the easier/shorter one (as opposed to hiking in from Hwy 20 to the north) and you will be treated to an ascent that crosses several climatic zones, starting in dry ponderosa forest and grasslands, to spruce at the pass, and tundra up near the lake. The terrain is bouldery granite up high. The initial hike through a burn scar is short and would not be out of place in the Sierra Nevada. Views at the pass are limited due to tree cover; if that is your destination, take the Stiletto spur a short distance uphill for wide-open views. Lots of larch trees, although well past peak. The lake is truly stunning. Goats (plump, with fresh wooly coats!) roaming the lake basin.
Stats:
- Distance: 15-3/4 miles
- Vertical: 3800 ft
- Duration: 8-1/4 hours
- Road/Parking: Twisp River Road is in excellent condition and doable by any car to the trailhead. The last 1/3rd is dirt but well-graded. The "Road's End" campground has been decommissioned, along with its access road, so you want to park at the "Gilbert" trailhead (go right at the "Y" with the sign about a road closure) to access the "Twisp Pass" trail heading west. Vault toilet. National Forest pass required.
- Weather: Sunny, no clouds, light breeze, trailhead temperatures 28F (start) to 40F (end), with 50Fs (?) midday in the sunshine. Hiking seemed so much easier with the cooler temps; no overheating! A light dusting of snow, mainly in shaded areas, with more widespread snow on the north facing peaks to the south. It cools down quickly once the afternoon shade kicks in; take layers.
- Water: There is a water source for filtering ~1/2 way up to Twisp Pass, another in the basin below the lake, and then of course at the lake itself. I carried little water and relied mostly on filtering.
- Larches: The larches are past peak, especially at the lake were most of the needles have fallen, likely due to the wind. In the basin just below the lake, most larches still have their needles, which are now mostly a Tuscan orange color, set among granite boulders and fiery meadows. The fading larches were still brilliant when backlit in the sunshine.
- Trail: The trail starts with a few miles in a burn scar; tree fall and flash flooding hazards as noted with signs at the trailhead (NOTE: You can see the newer channels cut by past flooding events). Before long, you are in a beautiful forest, first fir and then spruce and larch, that seems really healthy (no signs of the spruce worm infestation here). Mostly dry with just a few muddy areas. The trail is very rocky at times. Some blowdowns to step over through the initial burn scar. The fall color in the burn area was truly spectacular in the morning sunshine, especially with the frost. Great views of snowy peaks ringed with larches on the way up to the pass. You will cross from the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness into North Cascades National Park at the pass as you ascend the "unmaintained" spur up to Stiletto Lake. You need not let the "unmaintained" trail designation dissuade you - the trail is in good condition all the way up to the lake, with a short steeper section in the final push. There is an extensive larch grove (still with good color) in the basin below the lake, with more sparce larches ringing the lake itself. Leased dogs are permitted up to the pass but are not permitted in the National Park. The trail has a moderate grade and is lovely from beginning to end. It is well off the Hwy 20 beaten path with all its larch-season crowds. Let's spread out a bit! :)
- Takeaway: A good afternoon larch hike due to its southwest exposure (like say, Cutthroat and Carne); no need to rush to the lake before noon like so many other larch hikes enveloped by shade early (e.g. Blue Lake). You will also be ensured a magical "glowy" descent in the larch groves. Next time, will head up Stiletto Peak for the views, and perhaps approach from Hwy 20 to mix things up a bit.
Higher resolution pics are available at the Instagram link. Video of end-to-end hike included below, as well as an overview of WA larch hikes :)
Length
Elevation Gain