Blanca Lake
Central CascadesBest Jul–Oct
A punishing climb through old forest rewarded by one of the most surreal turquoise lakes in the Cascades.
About This Trail
Blanca Lake sits in a glacial cirque in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, fed by the Columbia Glacier. The water is an electric turquoise, colored by suspended glacial flour, and the effect against the dark rock and green timber is genuinely startling. You earn it, though. The trail gains over 3,000 feet in about 4 miles, mostly through roughly 30 relentless switchbacks on a rooty, rocky path.
The lower trail passes through second-growth forest with thick moss and huckleberry. Around the 3-mile mark you crest a ridge with views east toward Glacier Peak and the Monte Cristo Range. From the ridge, the trail drops steeply to the lakeshore, which means you climb back out on the return. Virgin Lake, a smaller and more subdued pond, sits partway down the descent. Camping is allowed at Virgin Lake but not within a half mile of Blanca Lake itself.
The access road (Beckler Road / FR 65) has been in rough shape due to flood damage and washouts. As of early 2026, reports indicate the road is passable for high-clearance vehicles only past where the pavement ends. Check current road conditions before making the drive. The trailhead has a small lot with about 20 spaces and vault toilets. A Northwest Forest Pass is required.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Persistent Hazards
- Beckler Road washouts and potholes require high-clearance vehicle
- steep rooty trail is slippery when wet
- significant elevation loss to the lake means a hard climb back out
- no camping within half mile of lake
Getting There
Northwest Forest Pass required. Small lot with about 20 spaces fills early on summer weekends. Vault toilets at trailhead. West Cady Ridge trailhead, 3 miles further down FR 63, is a quieter alternative if the lot is full.
Two approaches exist. From the west, take Highway 2 to Index, turn left at the Sand Bar Tavern, and follow Beckler Road (FR 65) for about 14 miles to the FR 63 junction. From the east via Skykomish, take FR 65 for 12.5 miles to the Jack Pass junction. Either way, save your driving directions before you lose cell service. GPS is unreliable out here. Check road condition reports before heading out, as washouts on FR 65 have been recurring.
Start early. The hike takes most people 5 to 7 hours. In summer, an early start also means better light on the lake and a better chance at a parking spot. Bring plenty of water since the only reliable source is at the lake itself.
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