Summit Lake is a beautiful alpine lake nestled in the Clearwater Wilderness, at the northern edge of Mount Rainier National Park. The beauty of this little spot catches most of the hikers unexpectedly, as the effort to reach the lake and summit is minimal. The summit view has Mount Rainier on one side with the lowlands of Puget Sound on the other. You can also look down on the amazingly blue lake as well as the parking area where you started your hike. Chances are you won't be alone, the lake is popular and many just keep following the trail which leads them unexpectedly to the summit of this mountain.

Drive west on State Highway 410 from Enumclaw, 5.0 miles to the junction with State Highway 165 just west of Buckley. Continue for 10.5 miles to the junction of Carbon River Highway and Mowich Lake Highway. Turn left onto the Carbon River Highway and follow it 7.7 miles to Cayada Creek Road #7810. Cross the bridge over the river and continue 6.7 miles to end of road. The trailhead is at end of road #7810 with 20 parking spaces. The Cayada Creek Road can be rough if it hasn't been graded in awhile but most chance their regular cars to the trailhead.

Summit Lake Peak

Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,380 feet
Summit Elevation: 5,780 feet
Access rating: Level 2

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The Summit Lake Trail starts in a harvested unit and switchbacks into old growth timber. After 0.7 miles the trail enters the Clearwater Wilderness. At mile point 1.0 is the junction with Carbon Trail #1179 at Twin Lakes. The trail reaches Summit Lake at 2.5 miles at an elevation of 5440 feet. Continue on the trail as it climbs around the lake and up to the summit. A minor trail also climbs around the south side of the lake as well.

Washington Climbing