Lake · Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Cradle Lake
18.5 mi round trip3,909 ft gainVery hardDay hike: Free self-issueOvernight: Free self-issue
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeFree self-issue
Fill out the free wilderness permit at the trailhead kiosk.
OvernightFree self-issue
No reservation. Use the same free permit, keep groups to 12 or fewer, and camp at least 200 ft from water.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness rules from the Forest Service. Matched from official wilderness boundaries. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance18.5 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain3,909 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation6,168 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Cradle Lake is a lake reached by a 18.5-mile round trip from Jack Trout Trailhead. The route follows Jack Creek Trail, then Meadow Creek Trail, then Snowall Cradle Trail to the shore.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Jack Trout Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.