Talapus Lake Trail

Trip

Day Hike - Olallie Lake

Explore two beautiful lakes in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on an easy, well-maintained trail, stopping for lunch on the shore of sparkling Olallie Lake.

  • Easy
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 6.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,220 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 3,800 ft
  • Pace: 2.0 mph

Meet at 10 AM at the Talapus Lake trailhead at Lookout Point,  reached from I-90 Exit 45.  Turn left at the end of the exit and right at the first road junction, onto FS Road 9030, and continue four miles to the parking lot at the end of the road.  If the parking lot is full, turn around and park on the right side of the road heading downhill, at the nearest available spot.  A Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass must be displayed by each car parked there.

In recent years, a large portion of the trail was rerouted to make the grade more steady, shorten the hiking distance and smooth out the trail.  Last year, work was in progress to improve the trail section by Talapus Lake, so this hike gets better every year.

There is a restroom at the trailhead, and outhouses at Talapus Lake (1) and Olallie Lake (2).  We'll take a rest break at Talapus Lake, allowing time to use the outhouse there.  Our lunch break will be at Olallie Lake.  The return hike is by the same route.  During the drive home, there will be an optional stop at iconic Twede's Restaurant in North Bend, where the milkshakes come with the can.   

Route/Place

Talapus Lake Trail


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  1. Navigation
  2. Sun protection
  3. Insulation (extra clothing)
  4. Illumination
  5. First aid supplies
  6. Fire
  7. Repair kit and tools, including knife
  8. Nutrition (extra food)
  9. Hydration (extra water)
  10. Emergency shelter
Trip Reports