Talapus and Olallie Lakes Hike: Two Beautiful Alpine Lakes Near Seattle

Do you ever find yourself craving a cool alpine lake to swim in on a hot PNW summer day—especially when you’re trying to get your kids excited about hiking? Talapus and Olallie Lakes let you turn that into a two-lake adventure without committing to an enormous day on the trail.

The trail is mostly through the forest, but creek crossings, small bridges, huckleberry bushes and two very different lake stops give you enough variety along the way.

You can easily make Talapus Lake your final destination if you want a shorter family hike. But for us, Olallie was worth the extra climb. It has a large day-use area, easier shoreline access and plenty of space to sit beside the water.

In this guide, I’ll share step-by-step details on hiking to Talapus and Olallie Lake with family and kids, as well as a scavenger hunt printable to make the hike fun for kids.

Talapus and Olallie Lakes Hike: Quick Facts

• Location: North Bend – Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
• Distance and Elevation: ~6.2 miles round trip to visit both lakes, 2.4 miles RT for one lake only, ~1200 ft elevation gain.
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, but kid and family friendly
• Highlights: Two alpine lakes, creeks, log bridges, huckleberries and swimming or wading access
• Facilities: Pit toilet near the trailhead
• Parking: America the Beautiful Pass or Northwest Forest Pass required, decent parking but gets full
• Estimated time required: 2 to 3 hours.

Hiking to Talapus Lake (1.2 Miles, ~1 Hour)

The hike to Talapus Lake is mostly through the forest, with plenty of shade along the way. I didn’t find the climb excessively steep or difficult, but I felt like I was climbing steadily the whole way

Even though most of this section is through the forest, it didn’t feel monotonous. There are creek views, small bridges, log crossings and stone-lined sections along the way. These small features also gave the kids something new to notice as we walked.

Toward the end, we crossed a bridge over the creek and had a feeling that the lake must be close. Sure enough, Talapus Lake appeared about five minutes later.

It took us a little over an hour to reach the lake, including the small stops we made along the way. The timing will depend on your pace, but this section felt very manageable as a family hike.

At Talapus Lake

Our first view of Talapus Lake was beautiful, with the water framed neatly between the surrounding mountains.

Near the main access point, you have to cross several logs to get closer to the shoreline. This makes reaching the water a little more adventurous, although it may not be the easiest access point for everyone.

In sunlight, the water looks emerald green.

We even saw someone out on the lake in a small inflatable boat. I am guessing they were camping nearby, but it was nice to see someone enjoying the lake from the water.

If you continue for another couple of minutes along the trail, you will find more places to access the lake. One of these spots looked especially inviting for sitting beside the water or taking a careful dip.

You can also head toward the western side of the lake near the campsites, where the shoreline is easier to reach. We didn’t explore this area, but on my next visit, I’d probably start here to get easier lake access for swimming.

From here, you can either turn around and make Talapus Lake your final destination or, like we did, take a short break before continuing to Olallie Lake.

Talapus Lake to Olallie Lake (0.8 Miles, ~40 Minutes)

The section between the two lakes requires more climbing, but it was also the most interesting part of the hike for me.

Since most people turned around from Talapus lake, the forest became incredibly quiet as we climbed.

At times, the only sounds we could hear were our own footsteps and breathing. Then, a surprisingly loud squirrel call would suddenly break the silence and catch us off guard.

We also started seeing plenty of huckleberries as we got closer to Olallie Lake. Looking for the berries gave the kids something to do as we climbed and made the uphill section a little more interesting.

If you plan to pick any berries, make sure you can identify them correctly. Our rule for the kids is to eat one at a time, so that you leave for other hikers and the squirrels ;).

Olallie Lake: The Highlight of the Hike (About 30 Minutes)

We reached Olallie Lake approximately 45 minutes after leaving Talapus Lake. For us, it was definitely worth the extra climb.

Although the actual access to the lake maybe small, the day use area feels large and open, with a sandy section that makes it relatively easy to reach the water. The mountain peaks around the lake were partly hidden behind clouds during our visit, but the lake was still beautiful.

This looked like a wonderful place for kids to wade or swim on a warm day, as long as you are prepared for the cold alpine water.

Other hikers were jumping into the lake, and after all the climbing, I was so hot that I almost jumped. But without swimwear or a change of clothes, I didn’t want to risk hiking back in wet and cold clothes.

Next time, I would definitely wear a swimsuit under my hiking clothes and bring a change of clothes. I would also consider carrying a life jacket or lightweight float, especially for kids, to make swimming in Olallie Lake easier and more enjoyable.

Alpine water can remain extremely cold even during summer. Keep that in mind before getting into the lake.

We sat besides the water much longer than planned.

Hike through huckleberry-filled woods, arrive at a beautiful lake, take a break, notice the small things—the beard lichen on trees, the soft sand beneath your feet and the beuatiful mist floating around . That was Olallie Lake for us.

Our Return Hike (About 1–1.5 Hours)

After spending some peaceful time at Olallie Lake, we began our return hike. It took us approximately 35 to 40 minutes to get back to Talapus Lake.

On the way back, we stopped for another ten-minute break at one of the quieter access points at Talapus Lake.

From there, the final stretch back to the trailhead took us approximately another 40 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Talapus and Olallie Lakes Hike Good for Kids?

Yes, as long as your children are comfortable hiking approximately six miles with steady elevation gain.

Several features along the trail help break up the distance for kids:

• Bridges and creek crossings
• Two lakes instead of one distant destination
• Seasonal huckleberries along the upper section
• Logs, stone paths and changing forest scenery
• Several places to stop beside the water

For younger kids or families that want a shorter outing, I would make Talapus Lake the final destination. You still get the forest hike, bridges and a beautiful alpine lake without committing to the full six-mile route.

Older kids who already enjoy hiking will likely be able to continue to Olallie Lake. The second section involves more climbing, but Olallie was worth the additional effort for us.

How long is the Talapus and Olallie Lakes hike?

The commonly listed route visiting both lakes is approximately 6.2 miles round trip, with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Your total distance may vary depending on which shoreline access points you explore.

Can you hike only to Talapus Lake?

Yes. Talapus Lake is a worthwhile destination on its own and a good option if you are hiking with younger children or want a shorter outing.

It took us a little over an hour to reach Talapus Lake. After spending time at the lake, you can return along the same trail without continuing to Olallie.

Can you swim in Talapus or Olallie Lake?

Both lakes have areas where visitors can enter the water. Olallie Lake had a particularly inviting sandy access area, and we saw other hikers jumping into the lake.

There are no lifeguards, and alpine water can be extremely cold even in summer. Assess the conditions carefully and supervise children closely.

Are there toilets on the trail?

There is a pit toilet near the trailhead. Do not expect potable water or other services, so carry everything your family will need for the hike.

Which lake is better: Talapus or Olallie?

Talapus Lake is easier to reach and works well if you want a shorter family hike. The immediate shoreline near the first lake view requires crossing several logs, although there are easier access points if you continue along the trail.

Olallie Lake requires more climbing, but its day-use area feels nicer with sandy water access. Olallie was the highlight for us.

Directions and Parking

For Talapus Lake Trialhead, take Exit 45 from I-90 and then take the Forest Road 9030. The final stretch is a narrow gravel road with potholes, but it is manageable if you drive slowly.

The parking lot is small, with space for roughly 10–15 cars, and can fill quickly on summer weekends. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required, and passes are not sold at the trailhead.

Where to Eat?

Not available close to the trailhead, but there are plenty of options within driving distance near Snoqualmie Pass, North Bend and Snoqualmie downtown.

Some of our favorite food options along I-90 drive include –

• Around Snoqualmie Pass – Dru Bru brewery and Commonwealth for food makes for a nearby and timely meal option with nice views around.
• Around North Bend – Rio Bravo for Mexican food, its outdoor patio and view of Mt.Si. Many new restaurants are opening up in this area.
• Around Snoqualmie – Snoqualmie brewery and taproom have great outdoor patio by Snoqualmie river.

Final Thoughts

Talapus and Olallie Lakes is a good option when you want a shaded summer hike with more than one destination along the way. The bridges, creek crossings and huckleberries helped break up the forest sections, while the two lakes gave us natural places to stop and rest.

Whether you do one lake or both, you can’t go wrong. You will still enjoy the hike!

Related reading

• If you like lake hikes, Mirror Lake is a kid-friendly alpine lake hike in the area with huckleberries in summer!

• While you are in the area, add some river adventure by exploring the Middle Fork Snoqualimie River with its many kid-friendly hikes and day use areas.

• Enjoy these riverside kid-friendly swimming holes near Seattle on PNW’s hot summer days.