Backpacking from North Bend to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Hike Length: 50 miles
Hike Difficulty: Strenuous Backpack Trip (4 to 5 days)
Maps: Green Trails 205S “Rattlesnake Mountain, 206” Bandera”, and 207 “Snoqualmie Pass”
hike overview map


It is actually possible to step off a Metro bus and do a multi-day backpack in the Cascade Mountain high country. Starting in North Bend, this trip follows an abandoned railroad right of way far into the Cascades, then returns along the high divide between the South and MIddle Forks of the Snoqualmie River. This divide comprises a choice portion of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness rich in lakes and alpine scenery. The mileage for this backpack is pretty high, but much of it is on level railroad grades where the hiking is easy and fast. Speedy hikers may cover the distance in 4 days, but a 5 day itinerary would offer a more moderate pace and time to enjoy in camp.

Many other long loops are possible in this area; refer to the attached map. If you can get a friend to drop you off at Snoqualmie Pass or any of the other trailheads, your options are increased even further. Hopefully, bus service to the pass will be restored in the future so rides from friends won’t be neccesary.

In this mountainous region, hikers should be prepared for bad weather and have good navigation skills. Heavy snow may blanket the area from November to June; the best hiking conditions will be found from July through September.

Getting there:

Take the ST 554 from Seattle to Issaquah Park and Ride. Transfer to the M209 bus and ride it to North Bend. Get off at Bendigo Boulevard in downtown North Bend.

Weekend Note: There is no M 209 bus service in North Bend on Sunday.

The Hike:

Follow the Snoqualmie Valley Trail (SVT) east out of North Bend, elevation 400 feet . You arrive at the beautiful Rattlesnake Lake Park after 7 miles of hiking (7 miles, 920’). Unfortunately, this is a day use area with no camping. Proceed east from here on the Iron Horse Trail, built on the old Milwaukee Railroad grade. This trail has a gradual slope and is very well groomed; you should be able to cover the miles rapidly on it. The trail slowly climbs along the north slopes of Cedar Butte and Mt Washington, passing a short spur trail leading down to the Twin Falls Trailhead four miles later(11 miles, 1400’).

From here, the Iron Horse Trail continues ascending up the Snoqualmie River valley, crossing some spectacular trestle bridges spanning deep side canyons. Pass the McClellan Butte Trail (16 miles, 1800’). Shortly beyond the junction is an official trailside camp with flat gravel pads for your tent.

Further along the trail, Hansen Creek is crossed on another high bridge (20 miles, 2000’). In the next valley you reach the Annette Lake Trail (22 miles, 2200’). Turn left here (North) and follow the Annette Lake Trail downhill to the trailhead on FS Road 5590 (23 miles, 1900’). Follow FS 5590 a quarter mile to an intersection; turn right (North) and follow the road across the Snoqualmie River and underneath I-90 at exit 47. North of the freeway, go left (west) at the next intersection. Shortly you arrive at the Pratt Lake Trailhead (24 miles, 1800’).

Note: from Annette Lake Trail, the Iron Horse Trail continues heading east, crossing Snoqualmie Pass via a two mile tunnel open to hikers. A determined or crazy hiker could conceivably follow the Iron Horse Trail 50 miles farther to Ellensburg (return possible on Greyhound)--or 200 miles to Spokane!

Continue the hike on the Pratt Lake Trail, after filling out an Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit. The trail climbs steadily on a forested slope. Three miles later, you reach the junction with the Talapus and Olalie Lakes Trail (27 miles, 3600’). These lakes are just a short hike away and have many good campsites, though crowded on weekends. This could be a good spot to camp for the second night.

Continue hiking along the Pratt Lake Trail. which climbs to a high saddle (28 miles, 4200’). At the next junction go left (west) on Trail 1009, which makes a scenic traverse on the side of Pratt Mountain before dropping to beautiful Rainbow Lake set in a meadowy subalpine basin. Island Lake, accessed by a one mile side trail, is also wonderful. From Rainbow Lake, the trail climbs to a saddle between Mason Lake and Lake Kulla-Kulla (31 miles, 4200’); a short side trail leads to Mason Lake where there is good camping.

Beyond the saddle, Trail 1009 makes a brisk climb almost to the summit of Mt. Defiance. At the high point ( 5300’), the trail traverses a steep meadow offering great views to the south, including the sight of ice-crowned Mount Rainier. Then the trail makes a long descent on a little-used section to Thompson Lake (35.0 miles, 3600’), which might be a good Camp 3. The trail climbs above the lake to a pass at 4300’, then soon ends at a logging road in the heavily clear-cut Granite Creek Basin (36 miles, 4000’). Follow the road downhill, passing an overgrown spur road which leads to upper Granite Lake, another possible camping spot. Beyond Granite Lakes, a long descent on the logging road (firmly gated and free of most traffic) brings you to a junction with the gravel-surfaced Middle Fork Road (41.0 miles, 600’).

Now a five mile road walk ensues. Follow the Middle Fork Road west, which soon turns to pavement and splits at a junction; either branch will suffice as they eventually rejoin. The rejoined road passes some new housing developments, then reaches a major intersection with a stop sign. Here, head right on SE 140th Street and follow it west to its end at a junction with North Bend Way. Continue west on North Bend Way less than a quarter mile to where it crosses the Snoqualmie Valley trail (46 miles, 500’); here, return to downtown North Bend via the SVT . From Ballarat Ave (49 miles, 500’), it’s only a few blocks walk west to the M 209 bus stop on Bendigo Ave.

Getting Back:

The M 209 bus to Issaquah Park&Ride leaves hourly from Bendigo Blvd. in downtown North Bend. If the bus is not coming for a while, the King County Library on 4th and Main is a good place to spend some time. Ride the bus to the end of the line at Issaquah Park&Ride, where connections are good to downtown Seattle via the ST 554 bus.

Rev 02.22.06