Cutthroat Lake

Location: North Cascades - HWY 20
Length: 4 miles roundtrip

Elevation: Gain/440 ft. Highest/5000 ft.

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 2 hours

 

This is a great little hike if you want some impressive views and are pressed for time. The trailhead is down North Cascade Pass more toward the eastern side. The signs are a little confusing at Cutthroat Lake trailhead and now I think I know why. The trail splits close to two miles in and the left goes to Cutthroat Lake where the right goes to Cutthroat Pass. The trailhead sign fails to indicate that if you're going up to Cutthroat Pass, it's 8 miles ONE WAY. Luckily for us, we took the short jaunt to the lake as the pass was still snowed in. Now don't get me wrong, I went to Cutthroat Pass eventually from a different entrance and believe that may be my favorite hike of all time.

Ooh la la!

Lies! If you head right on the fork, it's Cutthroat Pass.

Lies! If you head left, it's Cutthroat Lake.

This hike smells amazing from all the pine and cedar. There are plenty of streams for a water source. Below is a picture of a cool bridge made out of some timber and hopefully your balance is sound or it'll be a very, very cold dip. The only concern with this hike is that there is a section where an avalanche occurred and it's about 200 yards of fallen timber you have to dodge and play limbo with. There's even a stream running through it to make it a tad more challenging. Up one log, under the other, up over another without stabbing your crotch, and under another without bonking your head. Once you get past that, it's easy as pie. The lake is stunning and although it's on the smaller side, it's nestled underneath a gigantic cliff wall of awesomeness.

 

 

 

Even though there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the lake, just know that there is no camping allowed near it. Bummer, I know...but if you trudge upward toward Cutthroat Pass, that will be some of the best camping of your life! Remember to hydrate and wear sunscreen! Happy hiking :)

Thanks to whoever builds this stuff!