Blue Lake (Washington Pass)
North Cascades Highway, Washington · 6,254 ft
Typical peak
Sep 3 – Sep 11
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Classic view faces NE (40°)
Subalpine larch ring the basin below Liberty Bell Mountain and the Early Winters Spires, which rise straight out of the far shore to the northeast. The larch here go gold in the first half of October, two to three weeks ahead of the western larch down at valley level.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
extreme
Expect heavy peak-weekend traffic; consider a weekday or arrive before dawn.
Getting there
Park at the signed Blue Lake trailhead on WA-20 near milepost 161, a mile west of Washington Pass, and hike 2.2 miles with 1,050 feet of gain to the lake.
What turns here
- subalpine larch
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 7Typical color progression for Blue Lake (Washington Pass). No change from Jul 31 to Aug 17. First color from Aug 17 to Aug 26. Approaching peak from Aug 26 to Sep 3. Peak from Sep 3 to Sep 11. Past peak from Sep 11 to Sep 21. Bare from Sep 21 to Oct 5.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Aug 17.
This season so far
First frost
Sep 4
29 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
39°F / 25°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Blue Lake (Washington Pass) on September 7, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 5:56 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 80° | 6:28 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 42 min of low, warm light | 7:09 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:00 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 41 min before sunset | 6:51 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 280° | 7:32 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 8:04 PM |
Times in America/Los Angeles · day length 13h 5m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sunrise: backlit
Sun behind the canopy — leaves glow translucent. The shot most people are after. Expect flare; a hood or a hand helps.
Sunset: side-lit
Side light. Best for texture and depth across a ridge, and the safest bet for contrast.
Classic composition faces NE (40°).
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.