Four Itchy Feet

June 19, 2025. Packwood, Washington. Day 29 of 170

Today, we hiked the Bench Lake and Snow Lake Trail. This was truly an amazing hike, and the effort we invested in traversing its 3 miles and 472 feet of elevation gain was minimal compared to the rewards we received. The trail offers continuous views of Mount Rainier and the snow-covered mountain range. While some areas are heavily covered in snow, it’s not difficult to traverse, and you can even have some fun in the snow!

We arrived at Bench Lake first. Its water was crystal clear, though access was limited. Mount Rainier stood prominently before us, but a large male grizzly bear foraging along the shoreline across the lake truly stole the show. With bear spray in hand, we continued toward Snow Lake. Not surprisingly, given its name, we encountered a lot of snow on the way.

At Snow Lake, we found a quiet, small cove for lunch and decided a swim was in order. This was not swimming water; it was incredibly cold, likely in the mid-40s. However, it presented the perfect opportunity for a quick, cold plunge, so we took it! We were submerged for a total of three seconds – an exhilarating experience.

We reluctantly hiked back to our car, grateful for the incredible opportunity and the beauty we experienced on this hike. If you’re visiting Mount Rainier National Park, there are many hikes to choose from, but do not miss this one – you will not regret it.