Holden to Hart Lake
Central CascadesBest Jul–Sep
A gentle valley walk from Holden Village to a backcountry lake beneath Bonanza Peak, with waterfalls and cottonwood groves along the way.
About This Trail
The trail from Holden Village to Hart Lake follows Railroad Creek through one of the more accessible stretches of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The first three miles are flat and easy, passing through cottonwood groves and dense forest along the valley floor. Narrow waterfalls spill down the valley walls on both sides. The final push to the lake gains most of the elevation through a steeper section, but the total climb is modest for the distance.
Hart Lake itself sits at the base of a massive wall of peaks, with Bonanza Peak dominating the skyline. A waterfall pours from the lake outlet. The setting is dramatic enough that many backpackers use Hart Lake as the first night's camp on longer trips to Lyman Lakes, Cloudy Pass, and Spider Gap. It works well as a day hike from Holden Village, too, especially for families staying at the village who want a full-day walk without extreme elevation gain.
Like Holden Lake, the trailhead requires the Lady of the Lake ferry from Chelan to Lucerne, then the Holden Village bus. This adds a layer of planning but keeps the crowds thin. Bugs can be fierce in the valley bottom through July. Bring a head net and treat it as non-negotiable.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Hiked from Lucerne to see if we could access the trails to Hart Lake and Lyman Lakes out of Holden, as Phelps Road and Chiwawa River road have limited access with washouts.”
Last report: Jul 1, 2026
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazards
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended; water reflection adds glare near the lake
- Washed Out
Persistent Hazards
- heavy bug pressure through July
- blowdowns on trail
- creek crossings can run high in early season
Getting There
No trailhead parking. Access is ferry and bus only from Chelan. Park at the Chelan ferry terminal.
Take the Lady of the Lake ferry from Chelan to Lucerne Landing, then the Holden Village bus ($15 roundtrip, reservation required). The trail starts from Holden Village heading up the Railroad Creek valley.
No rush on the start since the valley stays shaded in the morning. Plan around the ferry schedule from Chelan. Allow a full day for the round trip from Holden Village, or use it as the first leg of a multi-day trip.
Recent Reports
Hiked from Lucerne to see if we could access the trails to Hart Lake and Lyman Lakes out of Holden, as Phelps Road and Chiwawa River road have limited access with washouts. The trails to Domke Mountain and Domke Lake are both in good condition and clearly had some recent trail work with logs cleared and brush removed.
Started off early from Holden after filling up on a good breakfast. We began the hike slowly at first and my four year old started off feeling a bit cold in the dense forest.
We were already staying at Holden Village for a week, so decided to do a one-night backpack trip out of there to Upper Lyman Lake, having heard reports from many in the Village that it's a true stunner. It is!
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