Lake Sylvester (Alpine Lakes Wilderness) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Sylvester |
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 Lake Sylvester
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Sylvester
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kittitas County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°38′03″N 120°55′29″W / 47.6340416°N 120.9247133°W |
| Primary outflows | Grindstone Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 25 acres (0.10 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 6,260 ft (1,910 m) |
Lake Sylvester is a beautiful freshwater lake in Chelan County, Washington. It sits on the north side of Grindstone Mountain. This lake is a favorite spot for people who love hiking, swimming, and fishing. Lake Sylvester is about 15 miles west of Leavenworth. You can reach it by following the Chatter Creek Trail. Remember, you need a special permit to visit this wilderness area.
Contents
Discovering Lake Sylvester
How the Lake Got Its Name
Lake Sylvester was named by Albert Hale Sylvester. He was a mapmaker for the United States Geological Survey. Around 1900, he explored the North Cascades area. He named the lake after himself. It is close to Lake Alice, which he named after his wife. Lake Sylvester is located just south of Lake Alice.
Visiting Lake Sylvester
Getting to the Lake
To reach Lake Sylvester, you start at the Chatter Creek Trailhead. This trailhead is at the end of USFS Road 7609. It is located on the north shore of Icicle Creek. The main path is Chatter Creek Trail #1580. This trail is about 5.5 miles long. It follows Chatter Creek for most of the way.
The Trail to the Lake
The trail passes by Lake Sylvester and Lake Alice. It then connects with Icicle Ridge Trail #1580. Lake Sylvester is on the west side of the trail. It sits in a bowl-shaped valley called a cirque. Lake Alice is further north, also on the west side.
Camping and Permits
You can find campsites along the first few miles of the trail. As you get closer to the lakes, the area becomes more forested. To enter the Sylvester Lake area, you need a special permit. This is called an Alpine Lake Wilderness permit. You can get one at the Chatter Creek Trailhead. You can also get one at the Campground past the Guard station.
Exploring Nearby Lakes
If you continue left on the Icicle Ridge Trail, you will find more lakes. These include Upper Florence Lake and Lower Florence Lake. To the right (east) of Icicle Ridge Trail, you can find Lake Ida and Lake Augusta.
