Surprise Lake & Mountain

Getting there

Drive US-2 to Scenic, 10 miles east of Skykomish. Turn south into Scenic, cross the railroad tracks, turn right and follow the gravel road 0.3 mile to the Surprise Lake trailhead (2,200 ft).

on the trail

Surprise & Glacier Lakes

11 miles round trip with 2,800 feet of elevation gain, 4,900 ft high point

Hike the Surprise Lake Trail 4.6 miles to Surprise Lake (4,500 ft). Continue 1.1 miles to Glacier Lake (4,800 ft).

Surprise Mountain (6,333 ft)

15.5 miles with 4,100 feet of elevation gain, 6,330 ft high point

From Glacier Lake, continue on the Pacific Crest Trail 1.6 miles to Surprise Gap. Turn right an climb 0.7 mile to the summit of Surprise Mountain (6,330 ft).

Thunder Mountain Lakes

12.0 Miles round trip with 4,000 feet of elevation gain, 5,800 ft high point

Hike the Surprise Lake Trail and camp at Surprise Lake, Glacier Lake, or Trap Lake. The day hike to Thunder Mountain Lakes. Reaching the lakes requires hiking on the Thunder Mountain Lakes Trail and some scrambling. Camping at Thunder Mountain Lakes is not recommended in en effort to protect the delicate alien ecosystem.

approach & ascent

Surprise Mountain (6,330 ft)

15.5 miles with 4,100 feet of elevation gain

A challenging winter scramble that becomes a hike when the snow melts.

Spark Plug Mountain (6,311 ft)

10 miles round trip with 4,200 feet of elevation gain

A challenging winter scramble that becomes a Strenuous 4, Technical 4 scramble by summer.

Spark Plug & Surprise Mountains

16.8 miles round trip, 4,650 feet of elevation gain

A challenging winter scramble that becomes a Strenuous 4, Technical 4 scramble by summer.

Mac Peak (6,859 ft)

14 miles round trip with 3,000 feet of elevation gain

difficulty: strenuous 4, technical 3

A difficult 14-mile scramble with 5,000 feet of elevation gain. It is the highest peak in the Stevens Pass quad that towers above nearby peaks and is surrounded by tarns and lakes.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking, Scrambling, Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Category: Intermediate
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Strenuous, Very Strenuous, Strenuous 4, Technical 4, Technical 3, Winter Scramble
• Length: 15.5 mi
• Elevation Gain: 4,100 ft
• High Point: 6,330 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Skykomish Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12