Lake · Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Cup Lake
23.9 mi round trip7,678 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
Distance23.9 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain7,678 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation6,434 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Cup Lake is a lake reached by a 23.9-mile round trip from Lake Ethel Trailhead. The route follows Lake Ethel Trail, then Upper Roaring Creek Trail #1584, then McCue Ridge Trail #1574, then North Fork Chiwaukum 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 Lake Ethel Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.