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Waterfall · Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Upper Snow Creek Falls

17.1 mi round trip4,856 ft gainVery hardDay hike: Free self-issueOvernight: Lottery
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Permits and reservations

Day hikeFree self-issue
Fill out a free day-use wilderness permit at the trailhead kiosk. No reservation.
OvernightLottery
Every overnight stay May 15 to Oct 31 needs an Enchantment Permit Area permit: $6 to apply, then $5 per person per day.

Permit calendar

Lottery opensFeb 15
Lottery closesMar 1 · results mid-March
Unclaimed permits releaseApr 1, 7 AM PT
Permit season and daily lotteryMay 15 to Oct 31

Enchantment Permit Area rules from the Forest Service and Recreation.gov. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.

About the trail

Distance17.1 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain4,856 ftTotal climb, round trip
High point5,895 ftFrom elevation data

Overview

Upper Snow Creek Falls is a waterfall reached by a 17.1-mile round trip from Snow Lakes Trailhead. The route follows Snow Lakes Trail to the falls.

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 Pass

Getting there

The hike starts at Snow Lakes Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.

Conditions

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Full forecast at weather.gov