West Fork Foss Lakes

Five beautiful lakes for the alpine lake enthusiast. Visit one for an easy day hike or visit them all as a more rigorous one day outing or weekend backpack.

Getting There

From SR-2, about a half mile east of the Skykomish Ranger Station, turn south onto Forest Road 68, Foss River Road, and drive 7.3 miles to the road's end and the West Fork Foss Lakes Trailhead (1,600 ft).

on the trail

Rugged basins, small meadows and fish filled lakes 1.6 miles along the trail arrive at Trout Lake. At 3.9 miles in there is a junction to head another 0.1 miles steeply up to Lake Malachite or continue along the main path for another 0.3 mile to Copper Lake and good camping. At the 5.5 mile point reach Little Heart Lake. The biggest and best lake is saved for last at 7.3  miles.

notes

  • Though it's within tree line this trail is remarkably rocky so don't forget sturdy shoes and trekking poles.

Extending Your Trip

Angeline Lake is another mile or so along a very rough boot path and beyond that and into backcountry off trail, there are a bounty of lakes to explore.

  • Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking
  • Seasons: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Very Strenuous
  • Length: 14.6 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 3,700 ft
  • 4,900 ft
Map
  • Green Trails Alpine Lakes West (Stevens Pass) No. 176S
  • Green Trails Skykomish No. 175
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Intro to Backpacking Field Trip - West Fork Foss Lakes

Backpacking Field trip: Introduction to Backpacking
Preference to Tacoma Introduction to Backpacking students. Trip will open to all Mountaineers to register
Difficulty: Moderate
Fri, Jul 12, 2024 - Sun, Jul 14, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
4 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Apr 4; Instructor registration open now
Tacoma Branch
Jeryl Kolb

CHS 2 Hike - West Fork Foss Lakes

Day Hiking Field trip: Conditioning Hiking Series
Hike to stunning Trout, Malachite, Copper, Little Heart and Big Heart Lakes on the West
Difficulty: Very Strenuous
Fri, Jul 26, 2024
No Prerequisites
6 participants 1 instructor
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Alisha Bachman
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Big Heart Lake
Resources

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