Bench and Snow Lakes Trail
Difficulty: ⭐⭐
Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mileage: 2.5 mi
Region: Mount Rainier NP
Elev. Gain: 479 ft
When to Go: Jul—Sep
Avg. Time: 1.5 hr
Parking: Small paved lot
Type: Out + Back
Pass: America the Beautiful or $30
Know Before You Go:
A great place for wildflower peeping in the early summer season.
Don't let the short mileage fool you; some portions of this trail are quite steep and there are uphill sections both directions so save energy for the hike out.
The views at Bench Lake (cover photo) are only accessible during drier parts of the year - we would suggest skipping this offshoot all together when water levels are high and you can't walk past the tree line.
When arriving at Snow Lake, make sure to follow signs for Snow Lake Camp for the best views.
There is a pit toilet at the campsite if you need.
The lake is an excellent spot for SUPing and swimming.
Late afternoon light here is the best for photos.
