Elbow Lake

Difficulty Distance Elevation Gain
 Moderate 9.4 Miles Round-trip 1,400

Destination

Elbow Lake, 3,250 feet

Directions

From I-5, take State Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) east to Highway 9 north to Mosquito Lake Road in the town of Acme. Turn right and travel for approximately 10 miles to Road No. 38, next to a large mound of gravel. Take Road No. 38 for 10 miles. The bridge over Wallace Creek is closed to vehicles.

Notes

In the Baker Lake Basin of the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area. Elbow Lake can also be accessed from Road 12 (6.0 miles round trip). Due to seasonal closures of the road, expect to add four miles to the trek.

Moderate hike through old-growth, stock, wilderness.

The trailhead for Elbow Lake is on the right side of Road No. 38. The old sign is gone but it is easy to recognize. It is the first trail off the road and is on the opposite side of a parking clearing.