14 Lakes Traverse
Snoqualmie RegionBest Mar–Apr
A four-day ski traverse linking fourteen alpine lakes from Hyas Lake to Stevens Pass through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
About This Trail
The 14 Lakes Traverse links Hyas Lake to Stevens Pass through the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness over four days of committed backcountry skiing. The route threads past Robin Lake, Lake Phoebe, Square Lake, Wolverine Lake, and ten more alpine basins, tagging Robin Peak, Trico Mountain, and Mac Peak along the way. Each day brings sustained climbing on skins followed by descents into frozen lake basins ringed by granite walls and old-growth timber.
This is not a casual spring tour. The route demands strong navigation skills, avalanche assessment at every col, and the fitness to carry a multi-day winter camp over broken terrain. Corniced ridges, open water crossings near Hyas Lake's outflow, and rock bands on summit approaches all require real-time decision making. Early morning starts (pre-dawn, often 4 a.m.) are standard to catch firm snow on steep aspects.
The payoff matches the effort. Fourteen alpine lakes in four days of skiing, with views stretching from Mount Daniel to Cathedral Rock, gives this traverse a character found nowhere else in the central Cascades. The route prioritizes skiable terrain over the standard PCT line, meaning longer descents and more creative linking between basins.
Forecast
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Persistent Hazards
- Avalanche terrain on multiple aspects throughout the traverse
- Corniced ridges requiring careful route selection on descents
- Open water near Hyas Lake outflow and creek crossings
- Rock bands on summit approaches to Robin Peak, Trico Mountain, and Mac Peak
- Extended wilderness exposure with no bailout for 2-3 days mid-route
- Rapidly changing alpine weather above treeline
Getting There
Access requires a snowmobile shuttle (roughly 16 miles) to Hyas Lake trailhead due to seasonal road closures. Coordinate shuttle logistics in advance. A vehicle shuttle between start and finish is also needed since this is a point-to-point traverse ending at Stevens Pass.
From Hyas Lake, ascend the creek drainage on the eastern shore toward Robin Lake. The initial approach crosses the Hyas Lake outflow, which may have open water requiring shoreline routing. Navigation through dense forest sections gives way to open alpine terrain above treeline. Each day involves transitioning between lake basins via cols and ridgelines.
Pre-dawn starts (4 a.m.) are critical to catch firm snow on steep north-facing aspects before solar warming. Budget 12-plus-hour days for the skiing sections. Corn snow windows in late March are narrow, so timing the descent off each peak matters.
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