Snow Lake Day Tour

Experience our one-of-a-kind Snow Lake tour, where you’ll hike through the Cascade Mountains before paddling one of Washington’s most spectacular alpine lakes. Less than an hour from Seattle, it’s a breathtaking and unforgettable adventure unlike any other.

Because why just hike to an alpine lake when you can paddle it!

Guests paddling Alpacka and Kokopelli packrafts across Snow Lake during the Optimum Adventures Snow Lake tour with blue water, Cascade Mountains, and clear skies in Washington.

Adam Jones, founder of Optimum Adventures, paddling a Kokopelli Hornet-Lite packraft across Snow Lake during a paddle on a Snow Lake Tour in Washington.

A guest paddling an Alpacka Caribou packraft on Snow Lake with waterfalls, towering cliffs, and alpine peaks during the Optimum Adventures Snow Lake kayaking tour.

Wildflowers along the shoreline of Snow Lake with calm blue water and surrounding Cascade Mountains during the Optimum Adventures Snow Lake tour.

A guest relaxing in a Kokopelli Hornet-Lite packraft on Snow Lake surrounded by evergreen forest, crystal-clear water, and mountain scenery during the Snow Lake kayaking tour.

A family posing for a group photo beside Snow Lake with turquoise water and distant Cascade Mountains during the Optimum Adventures Snow Lake tour in Washington.

Select photo credits: Nikolas Parks of Frame Focus Photography

Snow Lake Tour Info

Snow Lake Tour Description

Your Snow Lake adventure begins with a beautiful drive into the Cascade Mountains, less than an hour from Seattle, before meeting your guide at the trailhead. After getting fitted with your hiking and paddling gear, you’ll begin the journey to one of Washington’s most spectacular alpine lakes.

The hike follows a well-maintained trail with frequent panoramic viewpoints overlooking surrounding valleys, rugged peaks, and the brilliant blue waters of Snow Lake below. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights about the area’s wildlife, wildflowers, geology, and natural history.

Upon arriving at the lake, you’ll enjoy a fresh, fully-provided lunch while your guide prepares your paddling gear. After a brief safety and paddling lesson, it’s time for the highlight of the day.

Snow Lake offers what we believe is one of the finest alpine lake paddling experience in Washington. Glide across crystal-clear water beneath towering cliffs, paddle past waterfalls and an isolated island, and take in incredible views of the surrounding peaks from the middle of the lake. Early in the season, you may even encounter floating icebergs and snow caves along the shoreline. Throughout the paddle, your guide will lead you to the lake’s most scenic locations, share stories about the area, capture photos of your adventure, and leave plenty of time to explore and soak in the unforgettable scenery at your own pace.

After an incredible afternoon on the water, we’ll hike back to the trailhead with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Photo credit: Cynthia Wong

Snow Lake Tour Additional Info

Snow Lake
Tour Details

Trip Duration | Half-day
Season | July – September
~
Ages | 14 – 65
Max. Party Size | 6 guests
~
Hiking Level | Moderate
Hike Distance | 2.9 mi (one way)
Hike Elevation Gain | 1,600 ft
Pack Weight | 20 lb.
~
Price | $179 / pp

Departures | M-TH
Start Time | 7:00 am
Meeting Location
- Trailhead Location
  - ~50 min. from Seattle

Snow Lake
Tour Highlights

One-of-a-kind hiking and alpine lake paddling adventure
Paddle one of Washington’s most spectacular alpine lakes
Our most impressive alpine lake paddling experience
Frequent panoramic mountain and valley views
Crystal-clear water, towering cliffs, islands, and waterfalls
Well-maintained hiking trail
Less than an hour from Seattle
Small-group experience
Professional guide and all gear provided

Select photo credits: Nikolas Parks of Frame Focus Photography

Who This Tour is For

This tour is ideal for moderate hikers looking for an unforgettable adventure that’s both close to Seattle and unlike anything else in the Pacific Northwest. If you’ve hiked to alpine lakes before but want to experience one from an entirely new perspective, this is the tour for you!

Our Snow Lake Tour is the ideal choice for anyone looking for the ultimate alpine lake paddling experience. With crystal-clear water, towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, islands, and panoramic mountain views, it offers what we believe is one of the most spectacular lakes to paddle in all of Washington.

As our closest tour to Seattle and one of our shortest adventures, it’s also a fantastic option for visitors and locals looking to escape the city for a half-day adventure while still leaving plenty of time to enjoy the rest of their day.

What's Included

Professional, certified guide
Packraft, paddle, PFD, and all paddling equipment
Backpack and all hiking equipment needed for the tour
Introductory paddling instruction
Guided hike
Guided alpine lake paddling experience
Fresh, fully provided lunch
Snacks and water refills
Safety equipment
Professional photos of your adventure
- Optional add-on
Parking pass
All permits and fees

What to Bring

Transportation to the trailhead
Hiking shoes
Comfortable hiking clothing and layers
Water
Additional snacks (optional)
Water shoes or sandals
Swimsuit (optional)
Guide gratuities
- 20% is customary

After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list with everything you’ll need to prepare for your adventure.

Reviews

Adam is the best! He is so organized and goes above and beyond. I went to the Alpine Lake Day Tour and this for sure will stay there at the top highlights of this year. I'll be sure to recommend this to all my friends!

My boyfriend and I booked the alpine lake day tour for his birthday, and he can confidently attest that this was a 10/10, phenomenal birthday experience! Adam is super knowledgeable, helpful, incredibly prepared, and just an all-around awesome guide. This trip exceeded our expectations in so many ways, from the delicious snacks provided (and super yummy sandwich) to the gorgeous scenery and pack-rafting itself! Throughout our hike, Adam would stop to point out different flora/fauna of the PNW, take us to scenic viewpoints, and tell us all about the cool historical background of the area. Overall, definitely a fun and exciting once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Our family of 4 had an AMAZING experience on a day tour walking on the trail and then rafting on the lake. Adam made sure we were comfortable with the route and set clear expectations. When we arrived at the trailhead, all our packs were ready sized to our heights. The hike was lovely through varied tree canopies. Adam was knowledgeable about the area and extremely friendly. The rafting was fun and you really appreciated the magnificence of the area while on the water. Lunch, snacks and water were all provided. The sandwich was really yummy and the snacks were well-balanced. We took stops along the way to make sure everyone was hydrated and had enough food. Would definitely recommend Optimum Adventures to explore the Pacific Northwest. A wonderful expedition day to experience the beauty of this area.

My day tour pack rafting with Optimum Adventures was phenomenal! Adam did a fantastic job at accommodating everyone's needs and preferences, and made the entire trip feel easy and fun. I had never pack rafted before and this was an awesome introduction to the activity. The rafts fit neatly into backpacks and were really lightweight! I would highly recommend the pack rafting day tour to anyone interested in enjoying gorgeous PNW scenery in a unique way! Also, Adam was super knowledgeable about all things PNW and pack rafting--he took several opportunities while hiking to point out different cool features in the forest and on the water. I'd absolutely go out on a tour with Optimum Adventures again.

We travelled from Australia with the Goat Lake pack rafting to be one of the highlights of our holiday. It truly live up to expectations. The scenery was spectacular and September weather was perfect. Adam was well prepared, knowledgeable and a great host. The hike up was pretty demanding but well worth it.

Optimum Adventures offers a terrific guided experience. My son and I chose a multi day packrafting adventure and couldn’t have been happier with the choice. Clear communication before the trip, all the details taken care of, expert and kind guide work on both the trails and the water. Loved it.

FAQs

Check out our frequently asked questions below for answers to common questions about our Snow Lake Tour:

Where do we meet?

To give you the most flexibility, we meet directly at the Snow Lake Trailhead, where your guide will have all of your hiking and paddling gear ready to go before beginning the adventure.

What should I bring?

We do our best to make your adventure as easy as possible, especially for those traveling or new to hiking and alpine lake paddling. That’s why we provide all of the hiking and paddling equipment you’ll need, along with a fresh, fully provided lunch.
All you need to bring is appropriate hiking clothing and footwear, water, and any additional snacks you’d like.
After booking, we’ll also send you a detailed packing list so you know exactly what to bring and can arrive prepared and ready for an amazing day.

Can I bring my own gear?

We carefully select and customize our hiking and paddling gear to keep it lightweight, comfortable, and well-suited for our unique hike-and-paddle adventures. For that reason, we recommend using the gear we provide, as it’s designed to give you the best experience.
If you’d prefer to bring your own gear, just reach out before your tour and we’ll be happy to discuss whether it’s a good fit.

Do I need to worry about parking?

A parking pass is required for this trailhead. If you already have a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, you’re welcome to use it.
If you don’t have one, no problem—we’ll provide a parking pass free of charge. After booking, we’ll ask about your parking pass in a short pre-trip form so we can have everything ready for your arrival.

How much will I need to carry?

For our Alpine Lake Kayaking Day Tours, guests should be comfortable carrying a pack weighing approximately 20 pounds for the duration of the hike.
If you’re unsure whether this tour is the right fit for your fitness level, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to recommend another tour or help you prepare with a training plan so you can confidently enjoy the adventure!

Still have questions? Give us a call at 206-504-3588 or reach out anytime—we’d be happy to help you choose the Alpine Lake Kayaking tour that’s the best fit for your adventure.

Ready for Your Next Adventure?

Book Your Snow Lake Tour

Ready to experience one of Washington’s most unique adventures? Reserve your spot today and start planning your unforgettable hike-and-paddle experience.

Have Questions?

We’re here to help! If you have any questions about our Snow Lake Tour or want help deciding if it’s the right adventure for you, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Explore Our Other Adventures

Looking for a different experience? Explore our other one-of-a-kind alpine lake hiking and paddling tours to find the adventure that’s right for you.