TUCK & ROBIN LAKES
A challenging hike up to clear blue lakes in beautiful granite basins. I’ve heard this described as the off-brand Enchantments, and that’s pretty spot on – not quite as magnificent but definitely still worth a visit! This place is insanely popular for backpacking, so be sure to get an early start to miss the rush.
Quick Facts:
Distance: 13 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3300 feet
Location: Cathedral Rock Trailhead, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Season: Mid-Summer-Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The directions to this trailhead are straightforward, so use the link above and you should be all set. Be warned that the forest road to this trailhead is pretty rough for the last 13 miles. Most years, any car can make it but be sure to check recent trip reports to see if that has changed. Also, about 3 miles before the trailhead you have to drive through Scatter Creek – this can be a problem in the early season when it is running high from snowmelt, so again check recent trip reports, and if possible take a high clearance car.
Typical section of scrambling on the trail, August 2019
View of Mount Daniel from edge of Robin Lakes basin, August 2019
View of Cathedra Rock across Hyas Lake, August 2019
Hike description:
There are a couple of trails that leave from this trailhead, so make sure you are starting off on the Deception Pass Trail, which heads north. The first 3 miles of this trail are completely flat. First you’ll walk along some marshy areas, and then about 1.5 miles in you’ll reach Hyas Lake. There are some nice views across the lake of Cathedral Rock, but generally this is just sort of a boring woodsy area that you can hike through quickly. Also, the mosquitos in this area can be terrible so make sure to bring some bug spray.
At 3 miles the trail begins gaining elevation in a series of switchbacks until you reach a junction at around 4.1 miles. Here you’ll take the righthand trail to Robin Lakes, and the trail almost immediately becomes extremely steep and rocky. You aren’t quite in the portion with good views yet, so just put your head down and enjoy the exercise as you gain about 1000 feet in the next mile.
View on the trail returning to Tuck Lake from Robin Lakes, August 2019
Upper Robin Lake, August 2019
Your reward for this climb is Tuck Lake, a very pretty, bright blue lake. Get a snack and then begin the final push up to Robin Lakes. Finding the path from Tuck can be a bit confusing. You’ll want to head counterclockwise around the lake, and look for cairns or somewhat of a path to show you’re going the right way. Honestly, you kind of just need to poke around a bit and turn around the way you came if you end up at the top of a dropoff.
As you follow the path up and around Tuck Lake, you may need to use your hands a few times to get up some of the larger rocks but the scrambling is pretty light (we took our dog on this hike and felt she did fine). As you hike you’ll get great views of Tuck Lake from above and Mount Daniel behind you.
At around 6 miles you’ll emerge onto an open slope of granit and brush. This is the final push to the lake basin, and the views from here are great. Take a moment to look around when you reach the top – seeing Mount Daniel behind you and the sparkling Robin Lakes below is truly a wonderful sight. Definitely wander around Robin Lakes a bit and explore. It seems like every corner of the lake basin is prettier than the next!