How to Hike to Lake Valhalla and Mt. McCausland

Lake Valhalla is a beautiful lake tucked in the Cascade mountains that is accessible year-round. The lake is beautiful, sitting at the base of Litchenburg Mountain. The PCT passes right past the lake and part of the trail follows along the PCT as well. Alpine lakes in Washington are in abundance and this is a trail you definitely want to add to your list. Lake Valhalla is a great family friendly trail as well. It has minimal elevation and is an easy trail to follow, making it a great family trail.

Lake Valhalla trail has become extremely popular because of its abundance of fall colors. Starting late September, the leaves will begin to change, and in October, the trail is filled with brights reds and oranges. Although the lake is beautiful, Mount McCausland is where the best views of the lake and fall colors will be. I’ll be sharing everything you need to know about this trail, which trailhead to park at and how to reach Mount McCausland for the fall colors.

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Things to Know About Lake Valhalla

There are two trails that get you to Lake Valhalla, both similar in elevation but one is almost half the distance. This guide will help you reach the correct trailhead for the shorter trail. Read closely because Google maps will take you to the longer trailhead when you search.

Lake Valhalla is accessible year-round but you will need snowshoes and proper backcountry knowledge if you wish to go in winter. Always carry proper gear and clothing in winter months, which you can learn about below.

There are black bears and cougars in Washington, especially in this area. You may not see any, but there is a chance you will, so be prepared. I always carry bear spray and make noise on trail to make my presence known. I have hiked this trail twice now. The first time the trail was buzzing with people which helps keep animals away with the constant noises. The second time there was only a handful of people on trail, so making noise was important.

Never block roadways if you have to park on the side of the road. The trailhead parking lot can fill fast and people will park on the forest service road. Do not block access to the road and if you cannot park off to the side without limiting the ability for other cars to pass, find a better parking spot. Larger cars will need to be able to safely drive down the road. If your car impedes the flow of traffic, it may be towed. Washington has been towing cars more and more.

Lake Valhalla is an alpine lake and will come with swarms of mosquitoes depending on when you go. Early summer to mid-late August will be the heaviest time for them. I hiked at the end of July and they swarmed me climbing up Mount McCausland. Be sure to pack clothing layers and bug spray to keep them off. They will be present lower down on the trail as well as snow melts in earlier months.

Lake Valhalla Location

Lake Valhalla is located off Stevens Pass in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area. The lake is located along the Pacific Crest Trail, which is a hiking trail from Mexico to Canada. Despite being on the PCT, there is no camping at the lake.

There are actually two trail options to reach Lake Valhalla. Both have similar elevation gain, but one is over 11 miles and the other is just over 6 miles. The shorter route will actually start at the Smithbrook Trailhead, which connects to the PCT. This is the trailhead I am sharing about today. Be sure to look for Smithbrook Trailhead when you search directions or you will be directed to the PCT Stevens Pass Trailhead.

There is a small trailhead parking lot, but in the fall and weekends it will most likely fill up quickly. You can park on the side of the forest service road if the trail is full. Do not prevent traffic from passing through if you park on the road. Make sure you car is all the way over and limit parking to just one side of the road so other cars can safely pass through. Remember, some cars coming through are rather large and will need the space, even if a smaller car can fit.

Best Time of Year to Hike to Lake Valhalla

This trail will be snowed in in the winter and spring months, but is accessible year-round. If you wish to hike in the winter or spring months, you will need snowshoes. It is best to hike from mid summer to late fall. Although Lake Valhalla is beautiful in the summer months, the fall colors around the lake are what it is best known for. October will be the best month to see the changing colors in all their glory, but be sure to search for recent reviews to see what condition the trail is in before going. Other hikers will share if the colors are changing or past prime through AllTrails.

Lake Valhalla Trail Info

To learn more and up-to date reviews, check out the AllTrails guide.

The trailhead to Lake Valhalla begins at the Smithbrook trailhead parking lot. The trail begins climbing through the forest with switchbacks almost instantly. It isn’t too steep, but is a constant climb. The trail is an easy dirt trail with tree roots, but well maintained. The trail will level out and you’ll spot a small meadow to the left and a large rock field to the right. Just after here, the trail will begin to climb again just before reaching the PCT junction. It is 1.1 miles from the trailhead to the junction.

At the junction, you will want to go left along the PCT. The trail here is a very gradual climb and in early to mid summer there will still be snow patches. I crossed snow even in late July. The trail goes 1.4 miles before hitting the Mount McCausland junction on the right. If you wish to reach the lake, continue hiking along the PCT. The trail will begin to descend down to the lake shortly after the Mount McCausland junction. It is roughly .4 miles to the lake.

There aren’t a lot of spots along the shoreline at the lake, but there is a small beach area and rocks around you can sit on and enjoy the view. You can also continue along the PCT, which goes around the lake. When you’re ready to leave, just follow the PCT trail back out of the lake basin the way you came in. You’ll want to pay attention to the junction along the PCT or it can be easy to miss.

There is a large wilderness sign on a tree at the junction you can keep an eye out for. It can be easy to walk past though if you’re chatting or zoning back to the car. If you miss the junction you will continue along the PCT until you realize the mistake, so be aware of your surroundings.

Mount McCausland Trail

There is no sign at the junction of the Mount McCausland trail, so using a downloaded map will help you find the trail. It is a very narrow trail located on the right of the trail just before the highest elevation point of the trail. If you begin to drop down to Lake Valhalla, you have gone too far. The summit is an addition .5 miles each way, 1 mile round trip, and roughly 656 feet of elevation. The trail is visible on the AllTrails app so make sure you have a copy. If you go on a busier day, you may notice people coming and going at the junction making it easier to follow.

The trail goes all the way to the summit of Mount McCausland, but the best views are only half way up if you want the fall colors and views of Lake Valhalla. I personally haven’t reached the summit because as I climbed, the view of the lake seemed to diminished and I was climbing for the Lake Valhalla views at the time. I was able to see Mt. Rainier from where I stopped as well. If bagging a summit is your goal, then continue on, but if you’re looking for views you don’t need to reach the summit for them.

What to Bring Hiking to Lake Valhalla

The 10 Essentials

No matter the length or difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is very exposed at the end and mountain terrain weather can change quickly. Be sure to pack extra clothing layers and plenty of snacks.

Clothing Layers

Hikers should always carry extra layers for safety and unpredictable changing weather when hiking, especially in mountain terrain. If you are hoping to do this hike in the fall months, you will definitely need to have warm layers with you. I always carry a fleece or down layer, sometimes both in my pack. I also make sure to have a waterproof windbreaker to keep me dry in rain and help reduce the bite of the wind on windy days. Beanies, gloves and neck gaiters are also great to have in your pack to keep you warm.

Backpack

Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water, the 10 essentials and food. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency, everyone should be individually prepared.

Water and water filter

Always carry enough water for your hike as well as a water filter to resupply at the creek or lake. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking, but because this is a difficult hike, carry at least an extra .5 per two hours. An insulated water bottle is a great choice to keep the water cold. A water bladder is another great option to be able to carry a larger amount of water and easily be able to drink throughout 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. The trail was free of snow when I went so I did not need waterproof shoes. I chose my trail runners below, but hiking boots are a great option for ankle stability. If you’re hiking in early summer and there is still snow on the trail, a waterproof shoe will be best.

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. Carry bug spray for your clothes and skin. If it’s early in the summer season, consider extra clothing layers to keep them off your skin and a bug net for your head. The snowfields are also a breeding ground for them. You can learn more about insect repellents and gear in my guide here.

Reminders

• Always practice Leave No Trace Principles on trail. This means stick to the designated trails and never walk on fragile alpine vegetation. Be sure to pack out all trash and properly bury any human waste. Toilet paper should be packed out and not buried. Never feed or approach wildlife. Be kind and courteous to your fellow hikers by letting faster hikers pass and sharing viewpoints.

• Be sure to read up on current trail conditions prior to going to know what snow levels and fall foliage is like. Sites like AllTrails and Washington Trails Association are great resources for getting up-to-date trail data.

• Be sure to pay attention to the trailhead you head to or you may end up hiking extra miles to Lake Valhalla. It’s easy to search for the trailhead and end up hiking the wrong trail.

Lake Valhalla is a Washington staple and easy to get to from both Seattle or Leavenworth. If you’re able to hike the trail in the fall, you will be rewarded with endless fall foliage. This hike is a great trail for children as well making it the perfect family outing. If you have any questions or you want to share your experience on the trial after using this guide, go leave a comment!

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