Chain and Doelle Lakes

The Chain and Doelle Lakes loop is a serious backcountry undertaking that strings together some of the loneliest lake basins in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Starting from Stevens Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail, the route crosses a 5,150-foot ridge within two miles, then drops past Lake Susan Jane and Josephine Lake before the real work begins: a relentless 2,000-foot climb over roughly two miles to reach the Chain Lakes basin.

The Chain Lakes themselves occupy a tiered granite cirque with three distinct pools at different elevations. Above them, the Doelle Lakes sit even higher in alpine meadows threaded with talus, offering flat camping and views of Bull's Tooth, a 6,807-foot spire that anchors the skyline. This is backpacking country, not day-hike territory. Most parties spend two or three nights, using the Chain Lakes camp as a base for day trips to surrounding ridges and peaks.

Trail conditions vary significantly by section. The PCT portion from Stevens Pass is well-maintained, but the Chain Lakes Trail itself (#1569) has been rougher in recent years, with blowdown and overgrown sections. The Hatchery Creek approach from the east side has drawn particularly harsh reviews for brushy, burned sections with poor route definition. Trip reports from trail runners suggest the route is more manageable than its reputation, but plan for slower travel through the problem sections.