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Twin Lakes
Glacier,
Washington
(Whatcom County)
Last Updated:
06/05/2021
Trail Information
Highlights
Twin Lakes is a campground and hiking trailhead located 7 miles deep and 1 mile high into the Mt. Baker-Snoqualamie National Forest. This hidden gem in the Cascades won't disappoint. Getting its namesake from the pair of lakes tucked away high in the Northern Cascades, the trail is surrounded by trees for most of the drive, with several small waterfalls scattered throughout. Twin Lakes has a few designated campsites spread around the lakes, though there are plenty of level spots dispersed spots to make camp as well. Once you set up camp, there are additional trails to continue hiking through the mountains.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 09/10/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Harder
Great spot for a weekend camping trip. Switchback portion of the trail has some rocky patches, as well as deep washouts. Good clearance is a must to avoid damage. Many trucks, SUVs, crossovers at the top. One sedan parked partway up the switchbacks with a trail of oil behind it serves as a good warning to know your capabilities.
Partially Open
Rated
4/5
Visited: 07/22/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Just posting this to say the last portion is still snowed in and impassible for most vehicles. Probably a really capable atv could make it, or a snowmobile, but there were no tracks from anyone attempting to try it.
The road is clear with some minor washouts all the way to the end of the last switchback where just around the last right hand turn, where you get your first view of the lakes and just before the first camping areas, there is suddenly snow several feet deep covering the road and campsites. Seems from what I could see the snow extends the rest of the way to the end and the lakes are still mostly frozen over. Still, very much worth the trip for the majestic views along the way!
Open
Rated
3/5
Visited: 09/25/2021
Difficulty Accuracy:
Harder
Beautiful fall colors already showing themselves. Nestled in a beautiful setting the lakes are wonderful. I wasn't there to camp but Saturday midday there were still several campsites available for anyone wishing to. The worst part of this trip was the overcrowding on the road especially around the trailheads. The "Easy Rating" of this journey can quickly change when opposing traffic meets on the very narrow upper sections of the road. Being a very experienced off road enthusiast made this trek pretty easy for me even though I encountered 23 head on passing challenges on the upper stretch but the number of neophyte drivers with trucks / vehicles they really don't know how to drive can make this trip unnerving for the less initiated. I spent 20 minutes waiting for one truck who because they felt they had to stay in the middle of the road was not going to move either to the side or backwards from fear so if you go please be aware of the potential challenges that may await and be willing to do your fair and equal part when challenged...
Partially Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 07/05/2021
I hadn't been up to Twin Lakes all the way yet because I tend to try too early in the season. I tried in late June and got about half way up before hitting heavy snow; completely expected. On the 5th of July it was mostly blocked off at the left hand switch back just below the Tomyhoi/Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead by a large bank of snow. The road leading up to that partial blockage was smooth, graded and didn't need any air down. Most of the vehicles (ranging from SUVs and trucks to small hatchbacks) were parked just below the switchback, obviously to use the nearby trailhead. If you want a great view of Mount Baker on a clear day stop right there and look behind you. Once we scrambled up past the switchback (needed 4 low and good tires on my Jeep) the road was significantly rougher and rutted, with some minor washouts, but not impassable. At Twin Lakes it was snowed in completely with lots of bear tracks in the snow. In the early season it's hit or miss whether you can get up very far because of snow, but it was certainly nice to avoid the crowds, and even getting up part of the way is a beautiful drive. The lakes themselves make for a great high alpine lake setting. Once it opens up completely, as I'm sure it has by now (July 21), it should be a smooth, pretty well maintained, dirt road all the way up if that's your thing.
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