Joe Lake (Washington)

Joe Lake is a freshwater lake located on the eastern skirt of Alaska Mountain at the border between King County and Kittitas County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. Frequently hicked Huckleberry Mountain is just north of the lake on the opposite side of the Pacific Crest Trail. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Rampart Lakes a short distance south, at the base of Mount Margaret. To the east is Hibox Mountain.

Location

Access to Joe Lake and Alaska Mountain is through Gold Creek Trail #1314. The trailhead is at Gold Creek Pond on the North shore of Keechelus Lake and South of Snoqualmie Pass. Past the open meadows of slide alder and vine maple and past Alaska Lake, the trail leads to a waterfall and later Joe Lake along the creek shore. Most visitors to Joe Lake are day hikers although the lake is provided with a few primitive campsites. Gold Creek Trail connects to the Pacific Crest Trail on the north ridge of Alaska and Joe Lake, while Edds Lake is on the opposite side of the PCT.