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Elevation gain: 1800 ft
Round trip distance: 7.2 miles
Northwest Forest Pass
Getting there: Snow Lake trailhead is approximately an hour (56.1 miles) drive away from campus and Google Maps can generally be trusted to bring you to the right location. The trailhead is located off I-90 East at the end of the Alpental Ski Area parking lot. You do not need high clearance or off-road vehicle as all the roads to the parking lot are paved and well-maintained.
Trailhead: In the early Fall, Spring and Summer, the parking lot will fill quickly, so we recommend an early start to your adventure to avoid conflict and bloodshed. The parking lot requires a Northwest Forest Pass, but if you do not already have one there is a self-issue station near the trailhead. Be sure to bring $5 cash or personal items of equivalent value to place inside the envelope before hitting the trail. There are restrooms at this trailhead - toilet paper not guaranteed.
On the trail: The trail begins as a 200ft climb up log steps before the trail settles into steady switchbacks. The switchbacks continue until you reach the high point of the trail that overlooks Snow Lake, then the trail becomes a slow descent to the entry point of the lake.
Possible Extensions:
Gem Lake
Source Lake
In winter, avalanche danger is extreme on the Snow Lake trail. Have past experience with travel in avalanche terrain before hiking here when snow is present.