Spectacle Lake (Washington)

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Spectacle Lake
Spectacle Lake (5037700587).jpg
Spectacle Lake viewing East towards Delate Creek
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Spectacle Lake
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Spectacle Lake
Location Kittitas County, Washington
Coordinates 47°27′43″N121°16′51″W / 47.4618857°N 121.2807066°W / 47.4618857; -121.2807066 Coordinates: 47°27′43″N121°16′51″W / 47.4618857°N 121.2807066°W / 47.4618857; -121.2807066
Basin  countriesUnited States
Surface area77.8 acres (0.315 km2) [1]
Surface elevation4,265 ft (1,300 m) [2]
Islands 0

Spectacle Lake is an alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in Kittitas County on its western border with King County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, camping and fishing cutthroat trout. [1] Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Chikamin Lake, a short distance North, at the base of Chikamin Peak. To the South is Hibox Mountain.

Contents

Location

Spectacle Lake is located northeast of Snoqualmie Pass and The Summit at Snoqualmie. The trailhead is at Gold Creek Pond on the North shore of Keechelus Lake and South of Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest.

Access

Spectacle Lake is by routes to Chikamin Ridge. The Pacific Crest Trail snakes north and south of Chikmain Ridge. Access is also reached by way of Mineral Creek Trail, or the much shorter trail that starts from the trailhead near Owhi Campground at Cooper Lake. [3] [4] Cooper Lake is stoked is stocked annually with several species of trout fish. [5]

Cooper Lake leads to a relatively flat trail up to highly trafficked Pete Lake, four miles away. [4] [6] The trail borders the north shore of Pete Lake, approximately one mile from Pete Lake is Lemah Creek within the Lemah Meadows. The trail crosses to join the Pacific Crest Trail 2000.6, the location of the Lemah Creek fire of 2009, ending on the main Pacific Crest Trail 2000. [7] The trails are located through several switchbacks and creek crossings, including Delate Creek over a large wooden bridge. [4]

Climate

Spectacle Lake is located in a hemiboreal climate, [8] part of the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [9] The average temperature is 2 °C. The warmest month is August, with an average temperature of 16 °C, and the coldest month is January, at an average of −8 °C. The average rainfall is 2687 millimeters per year. The wettest month is December, with 396 millimeters of rain, and the least in July, with 38 millimeters of rain. [10]

Spectacle Lake
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
396
 
 
−1
−10
 
 
354
 
 
−1
−10
 
 
331
 
 
−4
−8
 
 
213
 
 
9
−4
 
 
165
 
 
15
−2
 
 
104
 
 
18
0
 
 
38
 
 
24
3
 
 
48
 
 
24
4
 
 
114
 
 
20
2
 
 
298
 
 
12
−2
 
 
353
 
 
4
−7
 
 
370
 
 
−1
−11
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [10]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
16
 
 
30
14
 
 
14
 
 
30
14
 
 
13
 
 
25
18
 
 
8.4
 
 
48
25
 
 
6.5
 
 
59
28
 
 
4.1
 
 
64
32
 
 
1.5
 
 
75
37
 
 
1.9
 
 
75
39
 
 
4.5
 
 
68
36
 
 
12
 
 
54
28
 
 
14
 
 
39
19
 
 
15
 
 
30
12
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemah Mountain</span> Mountain in United States of America

Lemah Mountain is a mountain peak in the Snoqualmie Crest, a part of the North Cascades Mountains, of the Washington state. It is located approximately 7.7 miles (12.4 km) from Snoqualmie Pass. Most noted for its five distinct summits, its name, Lemah, comes from the Chinook Jargon word Lemah, in turn derived from a French word, le main, meaning "hand". Lemah Mountain formed by rocks crumpled into mountains by the Cascadia subduction zone where the Juan de Fuca and North American plates meet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Lake</span> Lake in Kittitas County, Washington, USA

Rachel Lake is located on the eastern side of Rampart Ridge in Kittitas County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waptus Lake</span> Lake in Kittitas County, Washington

Waptus Lake is an alpine freshwater lake located on the southern stretch of the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest in Kittitas County, Washington. Because of its proximity to Cooper Lake and the Pacific Crest Trail, Waptus Lake is a popular area for hiking, camping and fishing. Waptus Lake is surrounded by trails that lead to other Alpine lakes in the vicinity, including the Pete Lake and Spectacle Lake at the base of Chikamin Peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Kendall Peak is a mountain located on the county line separating King County and Kittitas County of Washington state. It is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the crest of the Cascade Range. Kendall Peak is situated two miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into Silver Creek and makes its way to the Columbia River via Yakima River, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River via Commonwealth Creek. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses its west flank and an exposed section of the trail called Kendall Katwalk has seen tragic deaths over the years, most recently September 5, 2018. The nearest higher peak is Red Mountain, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to the north-northwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huckleberry Mountain (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Huckleberry Mountain is a 6,320+ ft mountain summit located on the shared border of King County and Kittitas County in Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which is part of the Cascade Range. Huckleberry Mountain is set on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Huckleberry Mountain is northeast of Snoqualmie Pass, and 0.77 mile west of Chikamin Peak, which is also its nearest higher peak. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the south and east slope of Huckleberry Mountain, and from the trail a class 4 scramble leads to the summit. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Yakima River, whereas the west side of the peak drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Queens</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Three Queens is a prominent 6,687 ft (2,040 m) triple-summit mountain located in the Cascade Range, in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. The East Peak is the highest, and its subpeaks are the Middle Peak, and West Peak. Three Queens is set 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east-northeast of Snoqualmie Pass, on Chikamin Ridge, 2.76 miles (4.44 km) southeast of its nearest higher neighbor, Chikamin Peak. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the west slope of Three Queens as it crosses the gap between Four Brothers and Three Queens. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Yakima River drainage basin. The first ascent was likely made in 1925 by a party of eight Mountaineers led by Glen Bremerman and C. A. Fisher. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1940 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rampart Lakes</span> Lake in Washington, United States

Rampart Lakes area a set of contiguous freshwater reservoir lakes located on the south slope of Alta Mountain, in Kittitas County, Washington. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Klonaqua Lakes area. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout.

Lake Augusta is a freshwater lake located on the southwest skirt of Big Jim Mountain, East of Icicle Ridge, in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout. Smaller Lake Ida is a short distance on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge and Big Jim Mountain Lakes or on the northeast slope of the mountain. Lake Augusta is located approximately 15 miles west of the city of Leavenworth. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Lake Augusta area.

Lake Ida is a freshwater lake located along Icicle Ridge, approximately 10 miles west of the city of Leavenworth in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout. Lake Augusta is a short distance on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge. Lake Ida sits on a highly glaciated alpine cirque, surrounded by a coniferous forest primarily larch pines and outflows into Ida Creek, a tributary of Icicle Creek. At least one unrated waterfall is found downstream as Ida Creek runs the south slope of Icicle Ridge. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Lake Ida and Augusta area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Edna</span> Body of water

Lake Edna is a freshwater lake located along Icicle Ridge, approximately 10 miles west of the city of Leavenworth in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Lake Alice is a short distance in a prominent cirque on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaska Lake</span> Body of water

Alaska Lake is a freshwater lake located on the western skirt of Alaska Mountain at the border between King County and Kittitas County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Rampart Lakes a short distance south, at the base of Mount Margaret. To the east is Hibox Mountain.

Joe Lake is a freshwater lake located on the eastern skirt of Alaska Mountain at the border between King County and Kittitas County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. Frequently hicked Huckleberry Mountain is just north of the lake on the opposite side of the Pacific Crest Trail. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Rampart Lakes a short distance south, at the base of Mount Margaret. To the east is Hibox Mountain.

Angeline Lake is a freshwater lake located on the northern slope of Iron Cap Mountain between Otter Lake, Azure Lake and Big Heart Lake, in King County, Washington. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Big Snow Mountain area. West Fork Foss River exits Angeline Lake into a canyon that produces Angeline Falls downstream from Chetwoot Lake to Delta Lake. Because Angeline Lake is at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing golden trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

Avalanche Lake is a small alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in King County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Iceberg Lake a short distance East, at the base of Chimney Rock West. To the South is Chikamin Lake.

Chikamin Lake is a small alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in King County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Icebox Lake, Glacier Lake and Spectacle Lake a short distance South, at the base of Chikamin Ridge. To the North is Avalanche Lake and Iceberg Lake.

Glacier Lake is a small alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in Kittitas County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, camping, and fishing golden trout. Glacier Lake is a short distance between Chikamin Lake and Spectacle Lake at the base of Chikamin Ridge. The Pacific Crest Trail is a short distance from Glacier Lake as well as other Alpine lakes located in the vicinity. To the North is Avalanche Lake and Iceberg Lake at the base of Lemah Mountain.

Cooper Lake is an alpine freshwater lake located on the southern stretch of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Kittitas County, Washington. Because of its proximity to Cle Elum Lake and Kachess Lake, Cooper Lake is a popular area for hiking, camping and fishing. Cooper Lake, where two-pole fishing is permitted, is stocked annually with Kokanee salmon and several species of trout fish. Cooper Lake is the starting point for trails that lead to other Alpine lakes in the vicinity, including the Pete Lake and Spectacle Lake at the base of Chikamin Peak.

Pete Lake is a small alpine freshwater lake located on the southern stretch of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Kittitas County, Washington. Because of its proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail and Cle Elum Lake and Kachess Lake, Pete Lake is a popular area for hiking, camping, and fishing. Pete Lake is a short distance and along the trails that lead to Spectacle Lake at the base of Chikamin Peak and Cooper Lake to the South. Trails for backpacking are well-trafficked and originally designed in some areas for enough buffer that allows mountain biking.

Edds Lake is a freshwater lake located on the western skirt of Huckleberry Mountain at the border between King County and Kittitas County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing golden trout. The Pacific Crest Trail runs just East of the lake is a prominent ridge that separates Edds Lake from Joe Lake and Alaska Lake south towards Kendall Katwalk. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Chikamin Lake a short distance north, at the base of Chikamin Peak. To the west is Mount Thomson on Bumblebee Pass.

Gravel Lake is a small freshwater lake located at the edge of the Pacific Crest Trail on the western skirt of Mount Thomson at the border between King County and Kittitas County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing golden trout and rainbow trout. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Alaska Lake a short distance east, and Joe Lake and Edds Lake northbound on the PCT. To the east is Hibox Mountain.

References

  1. 1 2 "Glacier Kittitas County". Washington Fishing Lakes. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Spectacle Lake
  3. "Pete & Spectacle Lakes". The Mountaineers. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Spectacle Lake Trail #1306". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  5. "Cooper Lake". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  6. "Pete Lake Trail #1323". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  7. "Pacific Crest Trail #2000 (Snoqualmie Pass North)". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  8. Peel, M C; Finlayson, B L. "Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification" (PDF). Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 11: 1639–1640. doi: 10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 . Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  9. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  10. 1 2 "Spectacle Lake, Washington Climate Averages". WeatherWX. Retrieved 30 March 2021.