Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Marmot and Jade Lake (2 days / 33 km)
Marmot and Jade Lake is a highly popular hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, offering some of the most breathtaking views in Washington. Jade Lake is renowned for its stunning blue-turquoise colour, making it a must-see destination. Although the trail is rated as difficult, it tends to get crowded during the peak summer months. I’d recommend starting early to secure a camping spot and, if possible, avoiding weekends for a more peaceful experience.
While the snow melts earlier at Marmot Lake, Jade Lake is best visited from mid-July to September, once the snow has fully cleared. The trail is a 33 km round trip with a total elevation gain of 1,302 m. To fully appreciate the beauty of the area, I’d recommend camping for at least one night.
Trip Completed: July 2024
Trip Summary
Location: Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Tucquala Meadows Trailhead Parking is located at the end of National Forest Road 4330.
Traditional Territory: This route takes place on the traditional territory of sdukʷalbixʷ (Snoqualmie) (source).
Maps & Resources
Map: I used AllTrails to navigate the route, and I highly recommend downloading the maps for offline use, as the trail becomes harder to follow after Marmot Lake: Marmot Lake and Jade Lake, Washington
Permits & Reservations
Campsite Reservations: Campsites are first come, first serve.
Permits: You do not need an advanced permit to camp at Marmot or Jade Lake. However, you are required to register at the trailhead. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the lot.
Know Before You Go
Season: Mid-July to September.
Cell Reception: There is no cell reception at the trail or campsite.
Water: There are plenty of streams along the trail where you can stop and filter water. Both Marmot Lake and Jade Lake offer campsites close to the water, making them convenient spots to set up camp.
Wildlife: Marmots, goats, and bears are often spotted in this area. While we didn’t encounter any bears, another group alerted us to a black bear sighting on the trail, so I recommend carrying bear spray.
Waste: There are no garbage facilities at these backcountry campsites, so be sure to pack out everything you pack in. There is one pit toilet, but it’s not meant for waste disposal—please don’t use it for that purpose. We didn’t see any bear bins or hangers, so you’ll need to bring a BearVault canister or a similar system to safely store your food.
Outfitters & Shuttles
Outfitter: I didn’t need to buy or rent any gear, but if you’re missing anything, you can stop in Seattle, where there are plenty of outdoor stores like REI.
Shuttle: The route starts and ends at the same spot so a shuttle wasn’t needed.
Trip Report
Day 1: Tucquala Meadows Trailhead Parking to Jade Lake (17 km)
Getting to the Trailhead: We started our day at 6 am, driving the Cle Elum Valley Forest Service Road. The road is in decent shape, and neither 4×4 nor 4WD is required. However, there’s a creek crossing that can be tricky depending on water levels, especially without a high-clearance vehicle. I went on July 9th, and although there was some water, I had no issues crossing in my Subaru Forester, and I even saw lower-clearance cars make it through.
Since we went early in the season and on a weekday, we had no trouble finding parking, and the trail wasn’t too crowded.
KM 0 to KM 5.5: By 7:30 am, we were ready to start the hike. The first 4.5 km of the Deception Pass Trail are fairly flat, offering a wonderful view of Hyas Lake, where we saw some people camping. The trail is slightly overgrown in places, but overall, it’s an easy walk.
KM 5.5 to KM 9.3: In this section, the trail becomes significantly steeper. At the 7.5 km mark, you’ll reach the junction for Deception Pass and Marmot Lake (this is the Lake Clarice trail on AllTrails).
KM 9.3 to KM 11.3: When you hit the 9 km mark, you’ll descend into the beautiful Hozbizz Basin, which is surrounded by waterfalls—this part of the trail is stunning and feels like something out of Norway.
KM 11.3 to KM 14: After the meadow, you’ll descend through a forest before beginning another ~3 km climb to Marmot Lake.
It took us about 4 hours to make it to Marmot Lake.
Break at Marmot Lake: Marmot Lake is often overlooked compared to Jade Lake, but it’s truly beautiful, with crystal-clear blue water. We took a long break there to eat, swim, and filter water—it was fantastic! Most of the people we encountered were camping at Marmot, and we saw at least six groups there. The campsites are located within the first kilometre of the lake along the shore, offering a stunning view, and there’s also a pit toilet nearby.
KM 14.3 to KM 16.5: After our break, we continued to Jade Lake. This was the toughest part of the hike. The first section is pleasant, with great views of Marmot Lake as you gain some elevation. Eventually, you’ll enter a boulder field, which leads to a small waterfall where you’ll need to scramble a bit. Follow the cairns, and you should have no trouble finding your way, though I highly recommend downloading the route ahead of time, as people can easily get disoriented. When we did it, there was still some snow on the trail, but we had no issues with route finding.
Once you reach No Name Lake, the hardest part is over. The trail from there is mostly flat or downhill. No Name Lake is a good alternative if you can’t find a spot at Jade, and it offers a stunning view as well.
The hike from Marmot Lake to Jade Lake took us about an hour and a half in the hot sun. Once we arrived, we found a camping spot and took a refreshing swim. There’s a creek with freezing pools near the lake where you can relax and cool off.
Campsite: The sunset was incredible, and our campsite had a fantastic view of Jade Lake, Dip Top Peak, and Lynch Peak. All of the campsites are gravel, and we saw about six different spots, including one large enough for several tents. There’s a pit toilet, and we stored our food in a bag up a tree overnight.
There were only two other groups camping, so we had no trouble finding a spot.
However, the bugs were relentless. The wasps were bad at Marmot Lake, and even worse at Jade Lake, especially during the day. I’ve never seen so many wasps in my life—it honestly made parts of the experience a bit miserable, as they were out in full force as soon as the sun rose.
| Distance | 16.5 km |
| Elevation Gain | 990 m |
| Campsite Reservation | Public Land – No Reservation Required |
Day 2: Jade Lake to Tucquala Meadows Trailhead Parking (17 km)
We woke up before sunrise, and the views were breathtaking—the water and the colours on the peaks were absolutely stunning. After breakfast, we spent some time relaxing by the lake, treated water from the creek next to our campsite, and started packing up. We set off in the early afternoon.
The hike back took us around 5 hours, with only quick stops to drink water and grab some snacks along the way. By the time we made it back to the car, my feet had never been happier!
Unfortunately, we made the mistake of leaving a couple of granola bars in the car, and a little critter got in and made a mess!
| Distance | 16.5 km |
| Elevation Gain | 310 m |
| Campsite Reservation | N/A |
Reflections
Overall, I’d consider this a challenging hike, but absolutely worth the effort. Here are some of my top tips for making the most of this backpacking adventure:
- Going early in the season worked out really well for us, as we enjoyed some solitude in this typically busy area. If you plan to visit in early July, keep an eye on trail reports to ensure Jade Lake is snow-free—it’s worth it to experience the stunning turquoise water.
- The hot temperatures made the hike tougher. There’s very little shade at Jade Lake, so I’d recommend avoiding a trip during a heatwave.
- Bugs were brutal, so come prepared! Bring bug spray, head nets, and if you’re staying more than one night, a lightweight mosquito camping net for extra comfort. Mosquito coils helped us a bit, too.
Author Bio
Sonia is a full-time adventure photographer and outdoor enthusiast. She’s all about hiking, camping, snowboarding, and snapping photos of sunsets. Sonia hopes you find this trip report useful for your next adventure!
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