Top Lake

Top Lake sits at 5,200 feet in the Cascades backcountry near Leavenworth, reached via a 10.4-mile round trip through subalpine meadows and the ghostly remains of the 2014 Shoofly Wildfire burn. The trail works through a muddy first mile of thimbleberry and salmonberry before climbing via switchbacks to a high traverse at around 4,600 feet. From there, open views of surrounding peaks -- including Mount Rainier on clear days -- reward the effort. The final half-mile drops steeply (575 feet with no switchbacks) to the lake basin, where blueberry meadows ring the shoreline.

The trail sees very few visitors despite being a manageable day hike or easy overnighter. The access road is the main deterrent: heavily overgrown, unmaintained, and likely to scratch your vehicle. Trip reports consistently warn that the road is as much of an adventure as the trail. Once past the road, expect overgrown sections of trail and occasional blowdowns from the burn area.

If Top Lake feels crowded (unlikely), Pear Lake is just 1.3 miles farther via a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. A self-issue wilderness permit is required at the trailhead. Fortune Ponds, another destination in the area, attracts repeat visitors with dogs and fishing gear.