Directions
From North Bend take I-90 to exit 52. From the exit, turn north and take the second right onto Alpental Road. Continue for 1.5 miles and park in the large gravel lot to the left. The trailhead is on the right.
Notes
Snow Lake Trail is the most frequented trail in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. If you want to avoid crowds try getting an early start and avoid warm sunny weekends. At Alpental Ski Area ascend gradually to a junction with the Source Lake Overlook Trail at approximately milepost 1.7. Turn right and climb a series of steep switchbacks, entering the Alpine Lakes Wilderness just before a saddle, the watershed boundary between the South Fork and Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
From here enjoy great views of Snow Lake below, north to mountains and valleys in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Descend another series of switchbacks to the shore of Snow Lake and end at a junction with High Lakes Trail 1012 and Rock Creek Trail 1013.1. Snow Lake can be snow covered until mid-July and the trail down from the saddle is often snow covered on July 4th. Wear good boots and be prepared to turn around if you’re not prepared for snow travel.