Bathtub Lakes

A short hike, good views and solitude; often one must choose two of three. An exception is Bathtub Lakes. This area is on the east edge of the Puget Sound lowlands, so it has the added advantage of being only a 1.3 hour drive from Seattle.

The route to Bathtub Lakes is described as an approach to Mt. Pilchuck (75 Scrambles in Washington, Peggy Goldman, 2001). However, any of the points on the ridge east of Mt. Pilchuck are excellent viewpoints and much less crowded than Mt. Pilchuck, a popular trail hike. They have the additional advantage of offering views of Heather Lake and/or Lake Twentytwo, neither of which is visible from Mt. Pilchuck. Eric and I chose Pt. 5074', just 266' below Mt. Pilchuck.

The trail to Pinnacle Lake passes through an old growth forest with some large Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar trees. Pinnacle Lake at 3800' (above, looking west at 10 AM) was more than half covered with snow.

The previous week, I strained a leg muscle near Snow Lake. Nearly healed, I reinjured it hopping between rocks at the lake outlet. Here, Eric is patiently waiting as the acute trauma subsides. Fortunately, it soon improved enough to continue onward.

The route continues near the lakeshore to the left and avoids most of the brush. The gully (not visible in the image) past Pinnacle Lake was mostly filled with snow. The lower part was badly undercut by the creek and Eric, who was leading, fell through the snow several times. The upper part of the gully was steeper but straightforward. Most parties will want ice axes on the snow.

Sixteen Bathtub Lakes are shown on the USGS Verlot 7.5' quadrangle (1989). They are at 4720' +/-100' elevation. Four are significantly larger than the others. This is the most eastward of the four at 4680+' (above, looking west at 11:45 AM).

Point 5074' (center) was our objective. The northwestern of the four large lakes is at the lower left (4640+'). This view is looking west at 12:15 PM.

The central large lake at 4720+' was the most ice free. This area is surprisingly alpine considering its modest elevation and southern exposure. Only young trees are present near the lakes. This suggests that permanent snow inhibited tree growth until sometime around the middle of the twentieth century.

Our fastest hour ascent (descent) rates were 1000 ft/hr (-1000 ft/hr) at 9:15 AM (4 PM). These probably would have been higher but for the warm weather and my sore leg. The warmth likely contributed to the high fly density below Bathtub Lakes. The lakes and Pt. 5074' were mostly fly free. These data were logged by an altimeter watch.

You are visitor number access counter

Return to my home page