Snow Lake
2 days ago
Intermittent snow and ice present
9 this month · 233 reports
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region
updated 1 week ago
The trail to Gem Lake is mostly snow-free, with a few snowfields remaining that may require microspikes, especially in the morning. The road leading to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles. Some reports indicate sections of the trail are rocky and can be slow going, with one report from September 30 mentioning water running down the trail after recent rains. While bugs were not an issue in early October, they were noted as annoying during stops in early September. Fall colors have been observed to be at their peak or fading by late September, September 9, September 9.
Generated from 89 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
Ask about Gem Lake
Ask about this trail. Answers are generated from its most recent trip reports, so check anything you’d turn around for.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Day hike to Snow and Gem lakes. Microspikes highly recommend for the morning when it’s icy we started at 8:20. Snow was firmer on the way up to Gem but was a slippery mess on the way down. We saw the ...
Older1 month ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Hiked up to Snow Lake on Saturday, pitched the tent, did an in-and-out to Gem Lake on Sunday and back to the car also on Sunday.Since this trail has so many reviews, here are a few things you might st...
Older1 month ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Parking lot was mostly empty when we pulled up at 9:15, but more cars arrived steadily as we packed up to go.Due to recent heavy rains, the one major creek crossing gave some people pause for concern....
Older1 month ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Nice to hike here after the trail reopened and before the crowds returned! This was the day after rains in the area so there were some sections with water running down the trail, but otherwise the tra...
Older1 month ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
The Snow Lake trail will be closed starting Monday, 9-14-26 for at least a week, possibly to 9-25-26. This is for trail work on the switchbacks up to Snow Lake and includes rock blasting, so this clos...
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
This trip report is for the "tour de Alpine Lakes" lollypop: Start at Denny Creek / Franklin falls trailhead, then visiting the following lakes, in that order: Melakwa Lake, Chair Peak Lake, Gem Lake,...
Older2 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
My midweek hike to Gem Lake yielded stunning alpine vistas with the spiky Kaleetan Peak and Mount Roosevelt reflected across the still waters of the sapphire mountain lake. Mountain hemlock dominated ...
Older2 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Beautiful hike and not too crowded on a sunny warm Sept Wed., especially once you hike past the first beach area at Snow Lake. The trail is mostly big rocks mixed with small rocks, many unstable, shar...
Older2 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
I have a love hate relationship with this hike. I consider the section between Snow and Gem Lakes one of the most scenic sections of trail along the entire I90 corridor, most of the trail itself suck...
Older2 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Nothing to report for Snow/Gem Lake.For Wildcat Lakes - trail is obvious all the way. After Gem Lake, the trail wraps around the lake and you should see a sign pointing to Wildcat. Then you go through...