Holden to Hart Lake

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.