Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest · Washington

Picture Lake

0.3 mi of trail, end to end · asphalt surface · trail No. 735 · trail class 4 · typical grade 8-10% · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking

Trailhead Picture Lake Path Trailhead Drive there

Picture Lake Path the Forest Service's write-up

season Summer - Fall to

Picture Lake is the centerpiece of a strikingly beautiful landscape in the Heather Meadows area. The classic alpine vista of Mt. Shuksan mirrored in Picture Lake is one of the most photographed mountain scenes in North America. A backdrop of mountains, wildflowers and colorful plant foliage make this a beautiful, universally accessible family hike.

You will find interpretive sign panels and a viewing scope installed during the summer months on a paved viewpoint. A platform on the edge of the lake provides a resting spot.

For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation

Restrictions Hikers only. No camping. No fires, except self-contained, carry-in stoves. No snowmobiles. Dogs must be leashed within the developed recreation area of <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAHcGOlk!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110605&amp;ttype=recarea&amp;recid=17524&amp;actid=50&amp;navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&amp;position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&amp;navid=110000000000000&amp;pnavid=&amp;cid=null&amp;pname=Mt.+Baker+Highway+%28SR+542%29+-+Heather+Meadows">Heather Meadows</a>. Swimming and boating prohibited. Do not enter areas closed for rehabilitation.

Accessibility <p>The 0.5-mile path is a combination of pavement and boardwalk, making this trail universally accessible.</p>

This hike on fs.usda.gov

Picture Lake Path Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

$5/vehicle/day

Provides access to : Picture Lake Path

For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation

Accessibility <p>&nbsp;See video</p>

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

All 377 trails in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.