Elevation Gain
400.00 ft (121.92 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
1.90 mi (3.06 km)
Warming hut
No
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Mardee Lake is a quiet, beautiful lake in the winter, and it is conveniently located right off of I-90. Most people take the trek to Gold Creek, but just west of it there is Mardee Lake, which has much more solitude. The lake has great views of the surrounding hillsides.

At the parking lot there will be a sign pointing to the right for Gold Creek Basin. Instead of taking that route, go past the sign, following the snow-covered road for about .25 miles and look for a small parking lot and signs saying no motorized vehicles past this point. There you will take a right into the opening through the trees. From that point the trail gets harder to navigate. 

The trail moves east through the forest until it reaches the lake. From there, continue south along the lake and back through the forest. There will be a few openings, and the trail will eventually run into Gold Creek. From there the trail turns back north for a few hundred feet until you reach a viewpoint of the lake and of Kendall Peak.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Sno-Park Parking Permit (required in OR + WA 11.01 thru 04.30)

Pros

Solitude. Great mountain views. Right off the highway.

Cons

Limited parking. Hard to navigate.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

2,604.00 ft (793.70 m)

Features

Cross-country skiing

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington

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