Snoqualmie Pass — Summer
Hiking at
Snoqualmie Pass
Snow Lake, Kendall Katwalk, Franklin Falls, and more — Cascade trails just an hour from Seattle.
beExploring / Snoqualmie Pass
Overview
Snoqualmie Pass sits at the heart of some of the best hiking in the Washington Cascades. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness begins right at the trailheads here, with routes ranging from the flat family walk to Franklin Falls to the iconic Kendall Katwalk ridge and the immensely popular Snow Lake. Most high routes are snow-covered through June — but lower trails open earlier, and the window from late July through October brings the full alpine experience.
beExploring / Snoqualmie Pass
Hiking at a Glance
Best for families
Franklin Falls — flat old-growth walk to a 70-foot waterfall, suitable for all ages
Most popular trail
Snow Lake — stunning alpine lake, start early on weekends
Most dramatic views
Kendall Katwalk — exposed PCT ridge with sweeping Cascade panoramas
Best early-season option
Annette Lake or Lodge Lake — lower elevation, clears snow sooner
beExploring / Snoqualmie Pass
Before You Go
Parking Passes
Most Snoqualmie Pass trailheads require a Northwest Forest Pass or Discover Pass. Franklin Falls is a notable exception — parking is free at the Denny Creek Trailhead. Check the WTA trail page for each hike before you go.
Arrive Early on Weekends
Snow Lake and Kendall Katwalk are among the most popular trails in Washington. Trailhead parking fills by 8am on summer weekends — arriving by 7am or earlier makes a real difference. Weekday visits are significantly more relaxed.
Snow Lingers Late
High trails like Snow Lake and Kendall Katwalk typically don't clear until mid-July to early August. Lower routes — Franklin Falls, Annette Lake, Lodge Lake — open earlier in the season. Check WTA trip reports before heading up.
beExploring / Snoqualmie Pass
Featured Trails
Rock Creek Trailhead
Snow Lake
Snow Lake is the most-hiked trail at Snoqualmie Pass and one of the busiest in the Washington Cascades — and it earns every step. The trail climbs through dense forest before breaking into open subalpine terrain above treeline, with sweeping views back toward the pass before descending to the lakeshore. Chair Peak, The Temple, and Kaleetan Peak frame the water on three sides, creating one of the most dramatic lake settings in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The trail typically doesn't fully clear snow until late July. A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the Rock Creek Trailhead; arrive well before 8am on summer weekends or expect to park roadside.
- 8.2 mi round trip
- 1,800 ft elevation gain
- NW Forest Pass required
- July–October
PCT Trailhead — Snoqualmie Pass
Kendall Katwalk
The Kendall Katwalk is one of the most dramatic trail segments in Washington — a narrow bench blasted into the exposed rock face of Kendall Ridge along the Pacific Crest Trail, with sheer drop-offs on both sides and mountain views stretching across the Cascades for miles. The route follows the PCT north from the Snoqualmie Pass trailhead, climbing through forest and subalpine meadows before reaching the katwalk. The ridgeline beyond offers excellent backcountry exploring for those with energy to spare. Snow lingers into late July or early August most years. A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the trailhead, which is right at the pass off I-90.
- 10.5 mi round trip
- 2,600 ft elevation gain
- NW Forest Pass required
- August–October
Denny Creek Trailhead
Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls is the easiest and most rewarding hike at Snoqualmie Pass — a nearly flat walk through magnificent old-growth forest along Denny Creek to a 70-foot waterfall that drops into a natural rocky bowl. The falls are especially powerful in late spring and early summer when snowmelt is running full. The trail is suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it one of the best family hikes within an hour of Seattle. The Denny Creek Trailhead is right off I-90 at Exit 47; parking is free but the lot fills quickly on summer weekends. Accessible as early as May.
- 2 mi round trip
- 200 ft elevation gain
- Free parking — Exit 47
- May–November
Near Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area
Guye Peak
Guye Peak rises directly above Snoqualmie Pass and delivers some of the most panoramic views in the area — a bird's-eye view of the ski area, Summit West, and the full Cascade Range in every direction. The route climbs steeply from a trailhead near the ski area, and the upper section involves hands-on scrambling on loose, rocky terrain. This is not a beginner trail — the exposure and route-finding require comfort with steep off-trail movement. But for experienced hikers willing to earn it, the summit payoff is exceptional and the approach is short. Check WTA conditions reports before going, as the route can be unmarked and confusing in places.
- 5 mi round trip
- 2,200 ft elevation gain
- Scrambling required
- July–October
Summit East / Snoqualmie Pass
Lodge Lake
Lodge Lake sits in a quiet subalpine basin above Snoqualmie Pass, reached by a trail that begins near the ski area and climbs through recovering forest into open terrain. The route passes through old ski runs before entering dense second-growth forest; the lake itself is peaceful and reflective, with rocky ridgelines rising above on three sides. It's a solid option when the higher routes are still snow-covered in early summer, or when you want a moderate half-day hike that doesn't require a long drive to a remote trailhead. The area is also accessible in early season compared to Snow Lake or Kendall Katwalk.
- 4.8 mi round trip
- 1,200 ft elevation gain
- Discover Pass required
- June–October
Humpback Creek Trailhead
Annette Lake
Annette Lake is a popular alpine lake hike near Snoqualmie Pass that opens earlier in the summer than higher-elevation destinations like Snow Lake. The trail climbs through dense forest along Humpback Creek before reaching the lake, which sits in a cirque below Humpback Mountain with views of the surrounding ridgelines. Mid-summer brings good wildflower displays. It's a quieter alternative to Snow Lake for similar effort, and it's accessible a few weeks earlier in the season. The trailhead is off Exit 47 on I-90; a Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking.
- 7.5 mi round trip
- 1,600 ft elevation gain
- NW Forest Pass required
- June–October
beExploring / Snoqualmie Pass
Related Guides
beExploring / Snoqualmie Pass
