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Quick Facts

Location: Mountain Loop Highway

Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Roundtrip: 4.0 miles (2.0 miles from trailhead)

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Notes: NW Forest Pass required when parked at actual trailhead.

Green Trails Map: Silverton, WA-No. 110

Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 436-1155; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs

More information: Day Hiking North Cascades (The Mountaineers Books)

Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east to the Verlot Visitors Center. Continue for 4.7 more miles, turning right onto graveled FR 4020. Proceed for 4.0 miles until snow blocks continual passage (Actual trailhead is about one mile farther up road).

Snuggled within and scattered beneath the scenic cirques and cliffs of elongated Bald Mountain are a handful of delightful backcountry lakes. Ranging in size and scenic splendor, several remain tucked away far from trails and roads making them destinations for intrepid travelers only. Others however lie merely a mile or two away by trail. And still others, like Lake Evan are only a mere sprint from the trailhead—except for this year with near record winter snowfalls.

What normally is only a quick jaunt to Lake Evan and a one mile hike to Boardman Lake is currently a tad bit longer. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you’re willing to do a little road walking and snow trudging, you can have these two normally busy lakes all to yourself.

Starting from wherever you made it on the road—more than likely about a mile from the trailhead—walk up the snow covered road. This road and some of the adjacent ones are popular with snowshoers and cross country skiers.

Locate the actual trailhead to the left surrounded by gargantuan cedars. Then, within mere minutes reach little Lake Evan. Children may be inclined to want to loiter along the forested and marshy shore, but Boardman promises better diversions.

Continue hiking under a canopy centuries old. After making one small climb around an area of ledge, arrive at the attractive basin housing Boardman Lake. Surrounded by timbered and rocky knolls, brushy talus slopes and ancient forest, despite being a mere mile from a road, Boardman feels like it’s deep within the wilderness.

Cross the outlet creek on a log jam and head for shoreline sunning and fishing spots. A handful of tidy campsites perfect for neophyte backpackers occupy a forested bench on the lake’s eastern shore. Primitive paths hug the eastern and northern lakeshore but peter-out in brushy and marshy terrain. There are more lakes beyond, but you must be tenacious and experienced at off trail travel to reach them.

Instead, enjoy Boardman. It’s large enough to accommodate all its guests. And in early season with the access road still buried in snow, you may very well be the lake’s only guest.

For more information, pick up a copy of Day Hiking North Cascades.

For information on lodging and other attractions near Lake Evan and Boardman Lake, visit www.snohomish.org.