AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Hyak Lake–Rockdale Lake, 7 sights

13 mi · ▲ 5,096 ft · 6 hr 53 min

Hyak Lake–Rockdale Lake, 7 sights is a 13-mile out-and-back near Hyak, WA. The route passes Rockdale Lake and Hyak Lake. It climbs 5,096 ft, with sections as steep as 73% grade. It scores 7/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi2,494 – 4,016 ft · steepest grade: 73%13.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail 47.39473, -121.39627
Nearest town Hyak, WA
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Directions

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Hyak Lake–Rockdale Lake, 7 sights

13 mi · ▲ 5,096 ft · 6 hr 53 min

Elevation 2,495–4,015 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail · 47.39473, -121.39627

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:50 AM · sunset 7:09 PM

Transit-accessible: East Shuttle Stop stop 370 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Snoqualmie Tunnel, heading W.
  2. 2.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  3. 350 ftBear right, heading W.
  4. 250 ftContinue straight onto Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.4 miSharp left onto Cascade Crest Connector, heading E.
  6. 0.1 miSharp left onto 9070-115, heading SE.
  7. 0.5 miBear left onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading SE.
  8. 0.1 miContinue straight onto 9070-110, heading E.
  9. 0.5 miPass Rockdale Lake.
  10. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  11. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Forest Road 9070-110, heading E.
  12. 0.2 miPass Hyak Lake.
  13. 1.2 miBear left, heading SE.
  14. 0.3 miTurn right onto Cold Creek, heading NW.
  15. 0.5 miReach Hyak Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 0.5 miTurn left, heading NW.
  17. 0.3 miBear right onto Forest Road 9070-110, heading SE.
  18. 1.4 miContinue straight onto 9070-110, heading NW.
  19. 0.3 miBear left, heading W.
  20. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading W.
  21. 0.1 miBear right onto 9070-115, heading W.
  22. 0.5 miSharp right onto Cascade Crest Connector, heading W.
  23. 0.1 miSharp right onto Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, heading SW.
  24. 0.5 miBear left, heading E.
  25. 300 ftBear right onto Snoqualmie Tunnel, heading E.
  26. 2.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/hyak-lake-rockdale-lake-out-back-3-lakes-22-km

Trail surface

43% gravel37% dirt20% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:50 AMSunset 7:09 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~81 min). Leave by 5:28 PM for the 7:09 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: East Shuttle Stop stop 370 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Hyak, Washington