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Hwy 2 Hikes

Toil elevation: 5,128 feet
Elevation gain: 3,300 feet to pass (500 more to Peak) (600 loss to lake)
Hiking Distance: about 4 miles to Blanca Lake
Access: Any vehicle

Take US Hwy 2 east from Monroe. Just past the town of Skykomish, turn left on to FR 65 (Beckler River Road) and drive 12.5 miles on this road to Jack Pass, a 5 way junction. Take the second left, going 2.3 miles down to a junction with FR 63 and the private Garland Mineral Springs Road. Take a right on FR 63 and proceed about 2 miles. The trailhead is on a small spur road to the left.

I took these pictures in 1993 but nothing has changed, except the massive crowds on weekends. On this trip, we did not go to the lake but camped at the pass near Virgin Lake and enjoyed a sunset view on top of Toil Peak. This is an easy stroll to the top of a small mountain with great views above the trees. In summer, the lake can be dark green or deep blue, hence the reason so many people who now come to get their Instagram shots.

Access:

Blanca Lake from Toil Peak

Double Toil Climb Trip Report

Double Toil from Toil Peak

Camping near Virgin Lake

Columbia Peak

Monte Cristo Group

Monte Cristo Peak on left, Kyes Peak on right

Waiting for the sunset

Glacer Peak

Looking toward Glacier Peak

Glissading down from Toil Peak

Yellow line is the trail

Del Campo Peak in center

Sunset from Toil Peak

Gothic Peak, Del Campo Peak, Silvertip Peak

Blanca Lake frozen