The dog days of summer are just around the corner, although it would not seem like it with these high spring temperatures. So instead of working on the ‘Honey Do’ list or mowing the lawn, I packed up my gear and stepped forth into the North Cascades.

I planned my trek to Snoqualmie Lake via the Dorothy Lake Trail with in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. If there is any place more picturesque, well the Alpine Lakes Wilderness ranks right up near the top.

As I traveled deeper into the wilderness, I discovered Shangri-la. What else could be more perfect? For the first quarter mile the trail starts off easy, but don’t let that fool you. From this point, the trail climbs steadily over a well groomed terra firma forested trail and granite boulders. It is a difficult climb, which becomes rewarding when you reach your first glimpse of Dorothy lake.

Dorothy Lake is a long lake of about two miles in length. The lake contains numerous small islands and a few peninsulas jutting out of its shoreline. As the trail marauders around the lake, it becomes an easer trek with many trail cutoffs leading to choice campsites along the lakeshore. Any spot along Dorothy Lake while in view of the lake is worth a few clicks of your camera shutter.

Once you reach the shoreline and cross the lake’s inlet, this nice leveling trail will soon change as you pass the southern tip of the lake and proceed to ascend up to Bear lake. As I mentioned, the first two mile ascent along the Dorothy Lake Trail is difficult, but the half mile accent up to Bear Lake is simply, ‘Just Plain Hard’. Even though there is a defined trail, it is not well groomed. You learn soon enough that you are on a wilderness trail just by the trail conditions in of itself. There are a few downed trees along the trail, two of which its limbs have completely engulfed the trails path. But this won’t be a problem to traverse. Just exercise some care as you normally would.

As you ascend up the mountain towards Bear lake, you will have a few opportunities to gaze back at Lake Dorothy and ponder the trek you had just finished along its east shoreline. Again, a few more picturesque snapshots.

Continuing along, just about the time you think you ‘have had it’, the trail starts to descend to Bear Lake, and for this you are happy. As you reach the lakes shoreline, you are really rewarded. Just as I stated before, ‘Shangri-la’. The lush green forest of tall cedars flanked up along the mountainside with its brilliant white snow caps along its open faces. A bright blue sky with a few white puffy clouds and an emerald green lake surface, reflecting the mountainside and its sky above. If God was an artists and painted landscapes, this would certainly be one of his masterpieces. So with this jaw dropping vista in front of me, I set up camp.

After waking up to a big bright blue sky in the morning, I made myself a cup of tea and settled down against a tree that I considered to be my lounge chair. What a way to greet the morning. No television, no radio, no phones or newspapers. Just myself and this beautiful lake in front of me with its majestic mountains behind it. At this time you tell yourself, “Life is Good.”

After breakfast I broke camp, packed up my gear and continued my southward bound trek along the Dorothy Lake Trail. While leaving Bear Lake, you will again have more opportunities to enjoy its vistas and shoot up a little more film. Once you leave Bear Lake, your not in the forest long before coming across Deer Lake. And Deer Lake, I would have to add, is just as beautiful as Bear Lake. The trail between the two is really easy going with out any hardships along the way. Camping is available along the shores of Bear and Deer Lakes, with easy access to water.

Because of the beauty that Bear and Deer Lakes offer, it is hard to leave these vistas. But, I have to continue my quest to Snoqualmie Lake. So back onto the wilderness trail again, I continue onward. The trail conditions change at this time as it becomes rougher going until you reach the lakeshore.

Snoqualmie Lake is a long lake and a popular one. It is every bit as beautiful as the other lakes previously mentioned, but I prefer Bear and Deer Lakes. Surprising enough there are not a lot of campsites at Snoqualmie Lake. Only one has good access to the lakeshore, while the others I have seen are a bit away from the shoreline in which you will have to scramble to the waters edge. But a good outdoor experience can still be had.

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area is everything that the name implies. These sculptured mountains surrounding clear mirror like lake surfaces do confirm whatever images your mind may have conjured up for this region. Preparation is the key to taking on this adventure. Trail conditions very. Some of which are difficult, while others are just plain hard. But do not let the trail conditions get you down. Nothing good was ever accomplished with out some good hard work. The rewards are worth it and I can not envisage that any more strongly. So step into Mother Natures Landscape and be part of her wilderness picture.

To start your adventure just link yourself via the links listed below.

Lake Snoqualmie via Dorothy Lake Trail - Directions

Lake Snoqualmie via Dorothy Lake Trail - Trail Maps

Lake Snoqualmie via Dorothy Lake Trail - Pictures