Jade Lake to Pea Soup: Washington’s Most Beautiful Alpine Lakes

Jade Lake is one of the most beautiful turquoise alpine lakes in the Pacific Northwest. The hike into Jade Lake is a more challenging trek, but it’s worth the boulder scrambling and mosquito bites you have to endure to see its beauty for yourself. Although many hikers end their trip at Jade, continuing on to Pea Soup, at the base of Mt. Daniel, is worth the extra effort.

In this guide, I will share everything you need to know about the hike into Jade Lake, what it’s like to camp at the lake, and how to continue on to Tip Top Gap, which overlooks Pea Soup. Reaching the top of Tip Top Gap can be challenging, as most of the trail is over a glacier where no real trail exists. I will provide all the information you need to navigate the snowfield and reach Tip Top Gap.

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Things to Know About Jade Lake and Pea Soup

• Do not underestimate how difficult this trail will be. It’s a grueling climb where you will have to navigate over a steep boulder field with loose rock and a glacier field on top of the already long distance and high elevation gain. If you do not have proper backpacking experience you should avoid this hike until you gain more backcountry experience. It is possible to hike it in a day if you are an extremely experienced long-distance hiker who understands the difficulty and has proper gear for a strenuous hike. I would advise against doing this as a day hike unless you have a proper experience. Plus, the area is so beautiful that backpacking it allows you to truly enjoy it all.

• The trailhead leads to dozens of other alpine lakes and can get very busy. Although there is ample parking, be prepared to have to wait for a spot or walk a ways down the parking lot to find an open spot. I arrived the night before starting the hike and slept in my car for an early start and it was already packed.

• Even in the summer months, this area is known to get socked in and have a cloudy forecast. Whether you are local or traveling from out of town, try to be flexible and watch the weather for when you go. Have wiggle room to go during the best weather window will help you avoid the views being socked in. If you can’t be flexible, know there is a chance you may not see the lakes.

• It is extremely difficult to find trail information past Jade Lake. The linked AllTrails guide I have in this will only take you to Jade Lake. Be sure to save and follow this guide to reach Pea Soup from your camp. Because there is not a lot of information on this hike, trail mileage and elevation was taken off my Garmin GPS watch and is just an estimate from my collected data.

• In order to reach Pea Soup, you will have to walk over a snow field to reach the top of Tip Top Gap, where you can overlook Pea Soup. Depending on the time of year, snow levels and your comfort with snow, you may need to pack extra gear for hike up the glacier. I will include gear you should bring below. I was able to make it fine with my hiking poles and micro-spikes, but a lot of people at the time went without any extra gear. At the time I was 4 months pregnant and did not want to risk a fall, so I took the extra gear. Never walk up the center or on top of running water as the snow bridge can easily collapse.

• There are plenty of campsites at Jade Lake, but there are a lot of trails with “closed for restoration” signs posted. If you come across one of these signs, DO NOT walk past it. They are there to protect the fragile terrain so we’ll keep it beautiful so we can continue to enjoy this area.

• Like all alpine lakes, be prepared for mosquitoes. Lots of mosquitoes! I have never been to a lake and have more determined swarms around me. I was eaten alive and spent most of my free time wearing full coverage clothing or in my tent despite the heat. I will link gear below, but having mosquito nets is a must for this hike if you plan to hike here in the summer months.

Before You Hike To Jade Lake

Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information, including closures, recent wildlife sightings, and road conditions.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off-trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off-trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in designated campsites rather than over vegetation.

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground, as it is harmful to wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying the waste. Bring a wag bag to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind, as they shouldn’t be disposed of on-trail. Bring a bag to pack them out for proper disposal. The same goes for dog poop—properly bury it or pack it back out. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail, as they are easy to forget. Animals can get into them, and other hikers don’t want to see them.

• Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plants off-trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never write or carve into rocks; it is illegal and carries heavy fines. Never pick wildflowers, as this is illegal in many states.

• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use established fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing them with multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away.

• Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed, or approach wildlife. Maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from all wildlife and a minimum of 100 yards for predators and larger animals. Wildlife are not like house pets; they can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road. Do not feed them, as our food can be harmful to their digestive systems.

• Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those who hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under eight. Don’t forget to say hello to fellow hikers!

Jade Lake and Pea Soup Location

The trailhead is located just outside of Cle Elum, Washington, at the end of Cle Elum Valley Road. You can search Tucquala Meadows Trailhead to reach the parking lot. Cle Elum is located on the east side of the Snoqualmie Pass, which is south east of Seattle. The Trail starts on the Deception Pass Trail.

You may read reviews that the road to the trailhead is very difficult and you need a 4×4 to navigate it. As of summer 2022, work has been done on the road and it is drivable even for a low clearance vehicle. There were no major issues or areas of concern when I went, which was a pleasant surprise.

Best Time of Year to Hike to Jade Lake and Pea Soup

This area is only accessible during the summer and fall months. Early summer will likely still have snow on the trail or near the lakes. The best months to visit are late July through early October. July and August will most likely have heavy mosquito activity, and depending on the year’s snowfall, there could still be snow in July and even August at both alpine lakes. If you want to avoid pesky bugs, September would be your best option.

How Many Days Does it Take to Hike Here

This trail is best tackled over 1-2 nights minimum. A one-night trip will be exhausting, as you will need to climb to Tip Top Gap either the same day you hike into or out of camp. I did this trip as a one-night adventure, and while it was exhausting, it was doable if you have experience. The last three miles to the car felt never-ending, and I honestly questioned my sanity.

Granted, I did this while pregnant, so everything was more difficult then, but it was still a very challenging one-night trip. If you’re flexible and want extra time to enjoy the lakes, two nights would allow for more relaxation without having to cover as many miles in a short period.

Jade Lake and Pea Soup Trail Information

The hike to Jade Lake starts at the Tucquala Meadows Trailhead. It begins as a mostly flat terrain hike along the Deception Pass Trail, through thick forest, and takes hikers past Hyas Lake. Just after Hyas Lake, the trail begins a constant uphill climb with switchbacks. You’ll catch glimpses of the mountains you’re headed into as you go.

Roughly halfway through the hike, the trail junctions briefly with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). You’ll walk the PCT for a few minutes before taking the next junction onto Lake Clarice Trail. The trail levels out a bit at this point before dropping down almost 1,000 feet into a meadow and valley below. The trail then begins to climb again until you reach the lakes, transitioning from open meadow to forest, to overgrown and rock-covered sections. There are also a few spots to filter water through small streams along the way.

The next trail junction will lead you onto Marmot Lake Trail on the left. There are a few spots with overgrown trees and a narrow trail shortly after starting this trail, but overall it’s an easy hike up to Marmot Lake. Once you reach Marmot Lake, continue hiking along the lake. Using a map can help ensure you’re on the right trail. The farther you go on this trail, the narrower and more difficult it becomes. You’ll encounter trees to climb over, rock fields, and loose scree.

As you near the end of Marmot Lake, there is an opening in the forest and a large boulder field. It is easy to get off the trail here, so pay close attention and look for other hikers to help stay on track. Do not stay low to the lake; the trail is more towards the middle of the boulder field and then continues to climb up through it. If you get off the trail, just look for wear on the rocks and random cairns to get back on track.

The trail gets very steep, and there is a section you’ll need to navigate carefully. There are very large, loose rocks, making it easy to dislodge a rock and fall or have them come down on you. Be sure to give other hikers plenty of space so they don’t get hit by a loose rock either. As you continue to climb up this boulder field, stick to the left side. There is an easy-to-follow trail that takes you up to the open meadows and small lakes before reaching Jade Lake. If you’re lucky with the weather, this is when you can get your first glimpse of Jade Lake.

To reach Jade Lake and the campgrounds below, you will hike down to the lake. The vaulted toilet will be to the right as you come down, and you should use it to help protect the fragile alpine terrain. There are plenty of campgrounds in the area, as well as many closed trails and campgrounds. Be sure to stay off any closed areas when exploring and finding a campsite. If you do not see an open spot near the vaulted toilet when you first reach the lake, continue to head left to find more campsites.

Hiking to Tip Top Gap and Pea Soup

When you reach Jade Lake, you will see a large snowfield above the boulder field, with two peaks across the lake. This is the trail up to Tip Top Gap and Pea Soup. From the campsites along the north side of Jade Lake, continue to follow the trail that loops around the lake on the east side. You will reach the highest peak, where you will find a narrow and loose trail back down to the lake and the boulder field below. This area is steep and can be slippery, so take your time.

Once you’re back down at lake level, look for cairns—stacked rock piles—to help guide the way. I would also recommend using your downloaded map to help keep you on the trail, as it is very easy to get off course.

You will have to cross over the stream at some point, but not all areas are easy to cross. I recommend sticking to the cairns as much as you can to find the best route across or looking for fellow hikers and their paths.

Overall, this area is easy to navigate, but you will likely end up on various trails throughout the boulder field. Use your downloaded map as best you can and avoid walking on the snow where the stream is, as you could fall through.

Eventually, you will reach a point where you can only walk on the snow to ascend. If you choose to put on microspikes or use any other snow gear, now is the time to do so. The snow was slushy late in the day when I went, but overall it was easy to walk on. Take your time and go at a pace you feel comfortable with. It doesn’t get very steep until you near the top, where you’ll most likely see some trails where people have glissaded down.

As you reach the top of the ice field, you can remove any snow gear you put on and continue just a short distance over the remaining boulders to your first views of Pea Soup below. The first sighting of the lake is magical, and you’ll probably never want to leave.

You can explore the area by climbing around the boulder fields to the left and right. There is no actual trail down to the lake unless you wish to climb the boulders all the way down. Be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and respect the environment if you choose to adventure and explore the area. Leave plants, rocks, and wildlife alone, and do not walk over the vegetation that is growing up there. Stick to the hard rock surfaces.

If you choose to go up for sunrise or sunset, be mindful of the stream crossing in the dark. It’s manageable, but you should make a mental note of where you crossed so you can keep an eye out for it on the way back down. If you go up for sunrise, you can always scout it out the day before.

What to Bring to Jade Lake and Pea Soup

First off, if you are backpacking this trail, which is highly recommended, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper backpacking gear. If you have backpacked a lot you already have gear, but if you’re newer to backpacking you can rent anything you don’t have from local recreation stores. You can use my “Backpacking Gear” guide to make sure you have everything you need to comfortably and safely spend a night or two in the backcountry. Below are my other must-have items for this hike.

Bug Spray

Hiking to an alpine lake always comes with mosquitoes. Hiking in the fall will reduce how many mosquitoes are at the lake, but there is always a mosquito presence, so go prepared. Jade Lake had the worst mosquitoes I have ever experienced at a lake, and I went in August. Carry bug spray for your clothes and skin. Consider extra clothing layers to keep them off your skin and a bug net for your head. I hiked in my raincoat to prevent bites despite the heat and wish I had a bug net. The snowfields are also a breeding ground for them. You can learn more about insect repellents and gear in my guide, here.

Technology

If you have the means, it’s so important to carry a satellite communications device with you into the backcountry. This will allow you to get ahold of emergency services should you need it. You can also communicate with friends or family off trail or get weather updates. I also use a Garmin watch to track mileage and elevation on the trail so I can properly determine where I am on the hike.

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. This trail can be wet and rocks will be slick. Waterproof shoes are best if the trail is wet. Not only do you want good shoes for this trail, bringing microspikes is a great gear options for reaching Pea Soup. Depending on the snow level it is possible to hike without them depending on your comfort level. I prefer carrying them for safety and ease of traveling over the snow and ice on the steep incline.

Clothing Layers

It’s important to pack plenty of layers, especially for alpine terrain hiking. The weather can change quickly and if you hike in the fall, it can go from cold to warm in hours. I like to bring a down coat and rain coat with me so I know I’ll be comfortable and dry if the weather turns. I also bring a long sleeve shirt to wear over a tank top. It can be used as a sun shirt for protection or a warm layer. On colder days I like to also bring a fleece layer.

Reminders

• This area is a fragile alpine area full of beauty and wildlife. Always practice Leave No Trace Principles on trail. Use the bathroom provided near camp whenever you can. Do not walk off trail or over the fragile vegetation. If a trail is closed for restoration, let it heal and stay off it.

• Jade Lake has a heavy mosquito population, more than Marmot Lake below. Many people choose to camp below at Marmot to avoid the constant mosquitoes and day hike up to Jade and Pea Soup. Pea Soup will also have a heavy amount of mosquitoes, but not as many as Jade still.

• The weather on this hike can be unpredictable and is often cloudy. Remember to check the weather all the way up until you leave. If you have a satellite communication device, you can get weather updates once you reach camp as well. Be flexible and know you may not always get ideal weather here. My entire hike in was cloudy and socked in at the lake when I first arrived. Thankfully the clouds eventually blew over and the views came out.

• The hike to Jade Lake is a difficult and challenging hike even more experienced backpackers. It is best to have significant backpacking experience before doing this hike, but someone newer to backpacking could do it if they really wanted to challenge themselves. Hiking to Jade is difficult, but going the extra distance to Peas Soup just adds another level of challenge and exhaustion. This is where two nights will help ease the difficulty and allow you to relax, but it will still be a difficult backpacking trip.

I hope this guide helps you with your adventure to Jade Lake and Pea Soup! It is one of the most breathtaking places I have ever backpacked to and well worth the effort. Being able to see this wonder with your own eyes should be on everyone’s Pacific Northwest bucket list. If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!

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Other Alpine Lake Hikes in Washington

Lake Ingalls

Colchuck Lake

Blanka Lake