Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
650.00 ft (198.12 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
4.40 mi (7.08 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness hosts more than 700 beautiful lakes, and Talapus Lake is one of the more accessible and commonly visited of them all. The trek to Talapus Lake is a great introduction to hiking and backpacking, consisting of just more than 2 miles of wide trails and a mild grade that climbs 650 feet. As the trail leads past cedars, firs, salmon berries, and various wildflowers, you'll even have the chance to stop and wade in Talapus Creek, which the trail intersects several times on its way up to the lake.

Despite the lake's relative proximity to I-90, it is easy to feel days away from civilization as you stand among the tall trees and look out over the perfectly clear blue lake. There are several places to sit enjoy lunch or to take a dip in the chilly water and cool off as you continue along the lakeside trail. There are five or six primitive campsites and a pit toilet just off of the main trail, so for those wishing for a light backcountry camping experience, this is a good place to start.

Stop here for the day, or continue on another mile or so to Olallie Lake.

Note: You may want to bring bug repellent, as there are some mosquitos by the lake. Also, dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

NW Forest Pass

Pros

Well-maintained trails. Wildflowers. Lakeside camping.

Cons

Highly trafficked trails. Mosquitos. Rough road to trailhead.

Trailhead Elevation

2,560.00 ft (780.29 m)

Features

Backcountry camping

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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

Comments

05/07/2016
A great hike, yet many people on weekends. With a crystal clear lake and a moderate, steady incline, the view of the lake is amazing. There are even a few drift wood logs that can be sat on to look over the lake.
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