Great Lake Hikes: 5 Family Hikes to Mountain Lakes in Western Washington

Distance: 2 miles round trip, 150 feet in elevation gain; Northwest Forest Pass required to park

Info: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WTA’s trip reports, or call 360-599-2714

Kids will love: hiking on an active volcano, with lava inside and ice on top

Description: Hike around beautiful glacial tarns ringed with granite outcrops and huckleberry bushes. The trail begins by dipping down towards Lower Bagley Lake. You’ll hike a short distance before coming to a junction — keep to the left to proceed on the loop clockwise. This path takes you on the east shore of Lower Bagley Lake along a flat trail of crushed rock. At the lake’s upper end, follow alongside the alpine stream that flows from Upper Bagley Lake and enjoy the increasingly open views of a looming peak with a very flat top: Meet the aptly named Table Mountain. Just under a mile in is a twin-arch stone bridge that spans the outlet stream from Upper Bagley Lake. Cross the unusual bridge (pausing for a photo op) and instead of heading back to the trailhead from here just yet, take some time to meander along the upper lake’s north shore until you find a great spot to rest and maybe dip your feet in.

This trail is short but absolutely stunning and leaves the kids plenty of time to load up on juicy huckleberries you may encounter along the way. For older kids, a longer loop option extends the hike from Bagley Lakes up to include the half dozen or so Chain Lakes (8 miles round trip, 1,600 feet gained in elevation), making this beautiful hike twice as long and three times as difficult, but adding more stunning scenery and sparkling tarns.

Directions: From Bellingham, head east on the Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) all the way to the Heather Meadows parking lot, signed for Bagley Lakes. Heather Meadows is just after the Picture Lake Trail and just before the ski area.

Next up: Hyas Lake