Blanca Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blanca Lake |
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Blanca Lake with the Columbia Glacier in the background, looking north.
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 Blanca Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Blanca Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cascade Range, Snohomish County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°56′25″N 121°20′24″W / 47.94028°N 121.34000°W |
| Primary inflows | Columbia Glacier |
| Primary outflows | Troublesome Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 3,976 ft (1,212 m) |
Blanca Lake is a beautiful lake found in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Area. This special place is located within the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington, USA. It's known for its amazing turquoise color and challenging hiking trails.
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Discovering Blanca Lake
Blanca Lake sits in a natural bowl surrounded by tall mountains. These peaks include Monte Cristo, Kyes, and Columbia. The lake gets its water from the Columbia Glacier, which is to its northwest. Water then flows out of the lake through Troublesome Creek. This creek eventually joins the North Fork Skykomish River.
A Lake of Amazing Color
The water from the glacier is very cold and carries tiny bits of rock. These tiny rock particles are called "rock flour." When sunlight hits these particles in the water, it makes the lake look a spectacular turquoise green. This makes Blanca Lake a perfect example of a "rock flour lake." Its unique color is one of the main reasons why so many people want to visit it.
Hiking to Blanca Lake
Reaching Blanca Lake is an adventure! You can only get there by hiking along the Blanca Lake Trail. The trail starts at an elevation of about 1,900 ft (579 m). It climbs quickly through many switchbacks, going up about 2,700 ft (823 m) over 3 mi (4.8 km). This challenging climb leads you to the top of a ridge.
From the ridge, the trail continues through pretty sub-alpine meadows. You will eventually reach Virgin Lake at about 4,600 ft (1,402 m). After Virgin Lake, the path becomes rocky. It then drops steeply about 600 ft (183 m) over just 0.5 mi (0.8 km) until you arrive at Blanca Lake.
Because of its high elevation and the heavy snow in the Pacific Northwest, Blanca Lake is usually only easy to visit from June. The trail typically remains open until the snows return in October or November. Even though the hike is difficult, the lake's amazing beauty makes it a very popular spot for hikers.
Getting to the Trailhead
To start your hike to Blanca Lake, you need to find the trailhead. You can get there by taking US Forest Road 65/Beckler Road. Drive about 13.7 mi (22.0 km) near Skykomish, Washington. This road will lead you to the intersection with US Forest Road 63. Remember, a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park your vehicle at the trailhead. There is also a daily fee of $5 per vehicle.
