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    Annette Lake

    4.4 (36 reviews)

    Annette Lake Photos

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    Joy P.

    7 mile hike + 2000 ft in elevation: took about 4 1/2 hours for us to complete! Very pretty hike with a lake at the end. We encountered many dogs on the hike - all very good and on leashes!

    Don K.

    One of my favorite hikes near Seattle. How have I not left a review? It's been closed for a while, but it now seems to be open? No more sign blocking the road to the trailhead. Recent snows have left the trail with lots of powder, but the lake has not frozen yet. The waterfall is flowing well and I got to see needle ice!

    Andrea W.

    Came here on a weekday morning, arrived around 8AM. Potholes on the road to it (but it's short so not too bad), and plenty of parking. Trail was surrounded by trees, a few waterfalls, some spots were a bit muddy and there's a bit of snow at the very end. Very pretty lake, would recommend! Didn't see very many people on the way up, pretty much had the lake to ourselves, saw quite a few people on the way down though.

    9.5.20
    Dianna N.

    My Experience Level: I consider myself a beginner. I don't exercise much other than a neighborhood walk now and then. Length: 7.5 miles round trip, out & back per wta.org Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet per wta.org Time: 3.5 hours to reach the lake. 2.5 hours return trip. We took A LOT of breaks because going up to the lake was tiring. We went pretty slow on the way down because it was painful for a couple of us. We spent about an hour at the lake to have lunch/snacks. Parking: Northwest Forest Pass needed per wta.org. I bought an annual pass the day before from REI, so I didn't look at the on site pay station situation. I recommend purchasing your pass ahead of time to be safe. It's like a teardrop shaped lot and when we arrived on 9.5.20 around 8:30 AM, the edges were already full and a couple cars started to make an aisle in the middle. There's no lines to mark parking spaces. When we returned at 3:30 PM we could tell the lot had gotten full at some point, because some cars parked on the road outside the lot as "overflow". We did see some open spaces in the lot though at that time. Bathrooms: There is one in the parking lot. One toilet. No toilet paper that day, and no sink. Ladies will probably want to do the hover over the toilet. There was a lovely piece of hanging tape to catch the bugs. I held my breath to avoid smelling anything. There was a sign for toilets closer to the lake, but I was too scared to check it out. Gift Shop: None The Trail: I didn't see any trash debris along the way, which is nice. I don't think this hike is as popular as other lake trails, so I think the general crowd that does this is more respectful to nature and aware of hike etiquette. Most people wore masks (at least when passing each other). I think I only recall one group that didn't have any. The path is clear enough to tell where to go, but some parts are rocky and were hard on my ankles. I liked that you get the elevation gain out of the way going to the lake, so afterwards it's mainly downhill. But that ended up being hard on my knees. I had a walking staff, but have since purchased trekking poles because of this hike. Being in the trees majority of the time meant it was shaded and didn't get too hot. You pass electric poles at one point and can hear that buzzing, but luckily it's short part of it. Payoff: The lake was pretty and it was refreshing to wade in after the hike up, so waterproof shoes are recommended! But I don't think the lake was worth the soreness I endured, so I have no desire to do this one again, or recommend it to others unless you are more in shape and/or truly enjoy the journey. There's little spots around the lake your group can rest in while distancing from others. We got lucky with a sweet log to sit on and enjoy the view.

    So beautiful!! I came here only because Denny creek was closed. The hike wasn't hard for me a relatively fit person but I would definitely not say it was easy. It was a great workout with a even better reward than any gym can give you. Definitely recommend! Dog friendly.

    Nina H.

    DON'T FORGET TO BRING INSECT REPELLANT!!! This is a great and moderate hike... about 7.5 miles round trip but when you get towards the end... the flies will swarm you. It gets really nasty. But that didn't stop us from eating our lunch by the lovely lake and for the two boys to jump into the freezing cold water. Daren D. is right about the rocks, there are lots of rocks but you get really cool views. You also pass by a few streams and a really awesome waterfall in the beginning. This trail is definitely less popular as the nearby hikes which made it really nice. Most of the other parties that were hiking brought their dogs and that's always fun to stop and aww at the cute canines. You'll see some flowers along the way too but lots of cool looking trees. The lake is the most gorgeous on a sunny day where you can see the trees' reflection off the water. Simply amazing. But seriously, don't forget to spray insect repellant or the flies will keep landing on you.

    Phallic tree on the nature trail
    Kristy F.

    How beautiful. I hadn't researched or looked at photos of the lake so I wasn't expecting something so beautiful at the end of our moderately grueling hike. Here you can find a link to more info: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/annette-lake We got to the lake and took a seat on a log while munching on some rewarding sour cream and onion chips. Best moment ever. There were plenty of other people so we grabbed some better than selfie images of ourselves which was nice. The lake felt serene and I wish we could have stayed longer, however the weather was trying and we wanted to make sure we didn't get caught in the rain. We left and I felt quite rewarded by our trek because the scenery was beautiful. I had recently been on a trip to New Zealand and thought this view was quite comparable to the North Island. I would certainly do this ~8 mile hike again any day and would take all of my hiking enthusiasts there as well. I wore waterproof boots which made jumping around the lake more enjoyable, I'd recommend doing the same. By the way, make sure you enter the correct trail. When we originally got to the trail head we took the nature trail which is roughly a mile loop and separate from Lake Annette. I don't regret this trail though because there was a seriously humorous phallic tree worth stopping at. As well as various bridges and numbered rocks to note. I'll post a photo of the tree for fun. Also, make sure you display the correct parking pass. The adventure pass is not the correct pass and will result in a $5 ticket.

    From hangout looking ahead.
    Daren D.

    Awesome hike. I don't think it's for beginners as the trail is littered with rocks, roots, watch-your-steps, and some good drop-offs near certain edges... although, if you're in fairly good shape, eat/drink a bit prior, and pack some solid food and liquid, then I think you're golden if you take it in strides. There are 2-3 open clearings between dense forest where you're literally crossing a ~40 degree rock face. Pretty cool & scary for some. Great views and the lake is sweet. Our group chilled up here for a bit, while some of us got our feet wet and felt the soft, moist, shallow shore along the accessible half of shoreline. You do have to maneuver up and over a tricky section to pass the initial spot the trail dumps you at the lake to reach more area. Nice! See pics. Note: The outhouse at the trailhead sucks. :)

    Michelle C.

    For a beginner hiker, Annette Lake was more of a workout than I expected! You can anticipate most of the hike to be an incline with lots of switchbacks - be prepared for some rocky terrain as well. With the hike being just under 8 miles roundtrip, I feel like this hike may be a bit difficult for younger children. We did run into a few groups with dogs however, so the trail appears to be pretty pet-friendly. You can find another portable bathroom unit closer to the lake and it looked like a few folks were camping in the area as well (I'm not 100% sure if camping is encouraged..) Bring a light jacket if you're hiking on overcast days! The lakeside actually gets pretty cold when the sun isn't shining.

    Long N.

    I didn't expect it to be too beautiful because subjectively, I like the lake scene when the snow is still there. However, considering the trail is not too difficult, I do think it's worth the hike. It was around 70 yesterday but the water wasn't too cold

    Eunice S.

    Hiked this trail today...I will say if your not a hiker this is not a trail for you!! Do not attempt if you have plans later in the afternoon. We arrived at 11:30am and didn't make it to the lake until 2:30. Then headed backwards at 3:30 and got to the car at 6! It's longgg and it feel like forever. This is definitely for people that have experience hiking.

    Elizabeth L.

    One of my all-time favorite Washington hikes. This hike has it all - endless brooks, well-maintained trail, wildflowers, largely shaded by massive trees (can hike throughout the season even when hot), numerous vistas, several charming bridges, topped by a gorgeous alpine lake at trail-end. Highly doable hike at 7.5 miles, 1400 ft elevation gain. Parking lot gets crowded on weekends, so arrive early. Friendly for trailrunners and hikers alike.

    View of Annette Lake
    Danny T.

    Definitely a snow hike in March/April. My group all had hiking boots (with spikes) and poles which helped. The first half of the trail the snow has mostly melted. The second half still has a lot of snow, so we had to be careful to not slip or else risk sliding all the way back to the trailhead. Despite the 4 miles to get to the lake, the elevation gain was not challenging at all. And view of the lake was great.

    Snow on the mountains in mid April

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    Ask the Community - Annette Lake

    Review Highlights - Annette Lake

    The trails is about 4 miles each way, and the elevation gain is mostly steady, although a few stretches can get steeper.

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    Melakwa Lake - Passing through Denny Creek on the way!

    Melakwa Lake

    4.7(3 reviews)
    24.2 km

    Picked this hike from the Washington Trails book, about 9.5 miles roundtrip with a 2700 elevation…read moregain. This was a tough hike, even though I chose it since the book said "moderate" and even looking up some reviews people had said the hike as relatively simple to enjoy a fantastic lake view. We were both pretty dead at the end due to the length and steep inclines. Knees were pretty banged up because of all the rocks. The trail in the beginning wasn't so bad, definitely got my heart pumping because of the elevation, but as you go higher up there were a lot of switchbacks and seemingly no end in sight. We hustled up the mountain pretty quickly though, which was why we were so tired at the end. The view is definitely worth it in the end; recommend bringing a hammock! There's also plenty of sitting area through slabs of rocks. Coming down we encountered: 1) a girl who was crying we believe because of the toughness of the trail, 2) a couple who stopped us to ask how much longer it was to the top (they unfortunately weren't even halfway) which signifies how tough this hike was. Definitely recommend bringing more than enough water or you will definitely be dehydrated (like we were). Otherwise glad we did this and would recommend (you won't regret it but your body will hate you haha).

    Pretty but tough, Melakwa Lake gets you with its length and steady elevation gain. The trailhead…read moreis located in Snoqualmie and is part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Be sure to pick up a Northwest Forest Pass before you head over as the closest visitor center is about a 15 min drive away at Exit 52. If you've scoped out the WTA site already, it'll say that the trailhead has a parking lot for approximately 30ish cars with additional room to park along the side of the road. As the trailhead is shared with the very popular Denny Creek, I'd recommend you head early to snag a spot and to carpool - my friends and I arrived around 9AM and the lot was completely packed. There appears to be two parts to this hike - the family-friendly portion to Denny Creek and then the rocky and long jaunt up to Melakwa Lake. We saw a lot of families on the trail headed to the creek, which makes the perfect picnic spot during low water. If you want to continue on toward Melakwa Lake, head straight over to the other side of the creek where you'll find a tiny sign labeled "Main Trail" posted on a tree. The crowd thinned out after Denny Creek/the water slide (as referred to on WTA) as the hike got a bit tougher and rockier. If you have hiking boots, wear them, as you'll encounter two, long stretches of rocky terrain. The 2,000 ft elevation gain is gradual, but definitely noticeably on the last leg. You'll head up for what feels like forever before the trail starts to dip down again, taking you to the edge of the lake. This hike feels long, so be sure to bring an ample amount of water and snacks to help power on to the end! Once you're at the lake, there's room for you to sit out on the rocks before your journey back down. We even saw a few people swimming in the water - must've been so cold! XD My friends weren't the biggest fans of this hike, mainly because of the length, but I still think it's worth a visit with the right prep. Also, don't forget to bring bug spray! Apparently Melakwa is Chinook for mosquito, haha. :)

    Photos
    Melakwa Lake - The "water slide", which is impassable during high waters. Popular picnic spot for families!

    The "water slide", which is impassable during high waters. Popular picnic spot for families!

    Melakwa Lake
    Melakwa Lake

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    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail

    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail

    4.3(3 reviews)
    26.1 km

    Great hike! 11 miles RT if you go to both the front and back sides of Otter Falls. Elevation gain…read moreis completely minimal and dogs are allowed - it says they must be on leash but all except two dogs I saw were actually on leash. The trail is so flat a wheelchair could make it except for the numerous creek crossings that were a little dicey depending on your footwear. Note that there is some washout leading up to the trailhead so unless you have a tall truck you will need to Park about a 1/2 mile away and climb over the rubble. Most of the road leading up to the trailhead has already been patched so our little car made it without issue. I wore my trainers since this hike was rated as easy. My feet were definitely sore later in the evening. Anytime you plan to walk 11 miles there will likely be some pain somewhere in your foot so don't be deterred! Had I worn my hiking boots I probably wouldn't have the soreness in my ankles but hiking boots are definitely not required for this hike. I have the kind of knees that will sometimes hurt on the way down from hikes with large elevation gains but because this one is so minimal I was able to jog from the trailhead back to the car after the entire hike. This trail was not heavily trafficked and provided a wonderful excursion for the day. We started the hike at 11:15am and arrived at Otter Falls around 1pm for lunch and relaxation. There's not much to sit on unless you want to sit where the falls are on steep granite. Again my trainers were not grippy enough to hang up there for long. Hike boots would be great for this part. We lounged around at the falls, continued on to the backside to see the view from the footbridge, and got down about 4:30pm. Note that this hike was a little buggy (annoying flies and other buzzes in your ears but I didn't need mosquito spray.)

    This is a pretty easy trail for beginning hikers or ones that want to hike, but have to give…read morecertain parts of their body time to heal and / or not be too strenuous on. Another great point about this trail is that it is dog friendly. Throughout the trail there are small inclines, but no switch backs and the inclines are no more than walking up hills in Seattle. Close to the beginning of the trail there is a choice to go towards Quartz Creek (to the left) or Snoqualmie Lake. You want to go straight ahead to Snoqualmie Lake. There are certain parts of the trail that you can stop at and turn back with still feeling that you have had a sufficient hike. The first point would be Marten Creek, which has a wooden bridge over it and a waterfall to your left. At this point, you have hiked in about 3 miles. Another couple miles up is where you will encounter Big Creek Falls. Which is amazing. The trail does continue on, but Big Creek Falls is usually where most people stop. One point, a little after Marten Creek, it looks like the trail ends. If you go to the right, you can tell that it will lead you right back to the trail. To the left is a pile of rocks. You will want to climb up (not much of a climb or hard to do) through those rocks to continue on. After you reach the top of them, you will see the trail again. Throughout the trail there are a few smaller creeks that you will have to walk over, but no more than a foot wide. Round trip is about 10 miles, if you go to Big Creek Falls, and definitely worth all the miles you walk. Elevation gain is about 700 feet. Directions: Head out I-90, to North Bend take exit 34 Edgewick Road, turn left under I-90, go past the Texaco gas station and turn right on Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road (FR 56), drive the gravel road 12+ miles, just after crossing the Taylor River bridge there is a fork in the road stay left on the Taylor River Road (FR 5630), continue to the gate and park in the lot.

    Photos
    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail
    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail - Otter Falls backside (where the pools are)

    Otter Falls backside (where the pools are)

    Big Creek Falls - Taylor River Trail - Otter Falls frontside

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    Otter Falls frontside

    Goldmyer Hot Springs

    Goldmyer Hot Springs

    4.0(22 reviews)
    68.7 kmFirst Hill

    Its's not worth the effort *for a day trip*... cant speak for camping. Coming from Tacoma for a 2…read morehr drive with 45 minutes of it being an insanely precarious road and then a 5 mile "hike" which is a walk on a dirt road, not to mention the lottery system and the instructions on how to even visit... I was expecting A LOT more! The pools were small! Thankfully one group was leaving as we arrived so there was only 3 other people hanging out with us. Otherwise, it would have been SO cramped! My husband couldn't even stretch out and hes 6 foot. If you've never experienced nature/spa or are not from WA then I guess you might enjoy this, but I wouldn't do it again. Pros: caretakers are super nice, seems like guests are all going to be friendly and respectful, area is VERY well kept and clean, pools are cool despite being small, temps are great, "hike" is boring but easy! Cons: way too much boring effort to get here (especially for a day trip), pools are very small, last part of road to get to the parking lot is VERY rugged... you NEED a high clearance vehicle and someone who can navigate huge potholes/trees/ debris, etc. "Hike" is boring but easy!

    We heard about this natural hotsprings in its super remote location in North Bend and just had to…read moretry it! It is a preserved miner's hotsprings that is on private land and is completely run by volunteers with the exception of a few individuals who are paid to make reservations and live on the grounds year-round. It is not easy to get reservations here especially with the pandemic. Once they were able to open this summer they started returning calls and we were lucky enough to be able to reserve the hotsprings for a small group of less than 5 people on a Monday. The fee was reasonable at 20 per person and they included detailed directions and instructions on getting to and using this facility. The drive in is no joke, seriously. We live in North Bend and are familiar with that area as we hike many of the trails over there frequently but we did not plan enough time for the 5 mile non paved road. Even thought it's only 5 miles it is VERY rough with lots and lots of potholes and difficult washed out patches that our Xterra made it up but might be difficult for other cars. Once we made it to the Dingford trailhead parking lot we left our car and started the 5 mile hike to the hotsprings. It's a really beautiful walk without much elevation gain through the forest and along the river but it is very rocky so your feet and toes will definitely get a beating. We kept up a good pace with around a 15 min/mile walk so we made it there in about 1.5 hours. We rang the bell and were greeted by the host who was very informative and pleasant. We signed our release forms and headed up to the springs for a beautiful and relaxing 4 hour time slot of enjoying the 3 different (but small) pools and the picnic table for lunch. It is also right at the top of a waterfall so you can sit out and enjoy the view and relax when you get tired of soaking. There is a cave where the hot water emerges that used to be open but is currently closed due to COVID concerns. The pool this hot water spills into is the hottest and really can only hold 2 people and then this pool spills into a larger one where 4 of us sat comfortably. There is also a cold one with river water which made for a great plunge. We really enjoyed our stay and had a great lunch at the picnic tables (no garbage sites so plan to pack in and pack out everything you bring). They also had non flushing porta potties you can use with one at the top by the hotsprings and a couple others at the bottom by the campground which is currently closed due to the pandemic. The campground is usually open year-round though and we are really looking forward to coming up during the fall or spring sometime. The five mile return hike is definitely tough especially with your feet being soft from soaking. I recommend you bring an extra pair of socks and maybe even consider sitting out for the last half hour or so and let your feet dry out before the return hike..my tootsies were pretty blistery when we returned!

    Photos
    Goldmyer Hot Springs
    Goldmyer Hot Springs - Finally here !!!

    Finally here !!!

    Goldmyer Hot Springs - From official website

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    From official website

    Rattlesnake Ridge - Hairy moss

    Rattlesnake Ridge

    4.4(170 reviews)
    26.1 km

    Rattlesnake Ridge is an awesome hike that is quintessential to the area. It's popular for good…read morereason as it's accessible and has great views of Rattlesnake Lake and beyond. For anyone who loves hiking in the Seattle area, they've likely already visited Rattlesnake Ridge. So take your visitors from out of town here and it'll be a solid time. Because it's a popular trail in North Bend, like any others in the area, get here early if hiking on the weekend. We visited on a holiday where many people had the day off, so ended up parking on the side of the road as the parking lot for this trailhead was all full in the late morning. You've been warned! Bathrooms are located at the start of the trail and is where the lake is for beautiful views and a swim. The trail itself starts through a forest and is mostly covered by the trees. At the top is where it's clear, so it's a great hike for sun coverage. But you'll still break a sweat as it inclines. It's four miles roundtrip, and there are other trails attached to it for further adventures. For those who are used to hiking, this is an easy one to do. AND, it's dog-friendly! Loved seeing all the dogs here. I recommend climbing Rattlesnake Ridge and soaking in the views at the top. You won't regret it.

    I have done this hike over a dozen times and still come back…read more 30-40 min drive from Seattle so not a far trek. 1.9miles each way and 3.8 Roundtrip so not a super long hike but not short either. It's perfect with great views. Expect the trail to be busy on weekends during the summer months. I always like to start early and end early. Would say it takes 2-3 hours round trip depending on your level of fitness (this includes some time at the top to enjoy the views, take a sip of some water or coffee, and eat a light snack). Highly recommend (wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and some snacks for the top).

    Photos
    Rattlesnake Ridge - To the ledge

    To the ledge

    Rattlesnake Ridge - Up there.. Goals

    Up there.. Goals

    Rattlesnake Ridge - View

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    View

    Annette Lake - hiking - Updated May 2026

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