Hiking to Nosh Nosh Wahtum in the Washington Cascades

Looking for more lake hikes near Snoqualmie Pass?
Head south of 1-90 and follow the trail to Mirror Lake or around Lake Easton.

CURRENT INFO

Visit the WTA (Washington Trails Association) website for hiking reviews and information. A good map is available on AllTrails. This hike is also included in the book Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Guide by Nathan Barnes and Jeremy Barnes. Please note that in the book, the lake is referred to by its former name, Sq– Lake, a once common slur used against indigenous women. The lake is now officially named Nosh Nosh Wahtum.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Since Nosh Nosh Wahtum is on National Forest land, you can hang an America the Beautiful pass (or other national parks pass) in your car window to cover the parking fee. Some individuals, including veterans and fourth graders, may qualify for a free pass.
• You can also purchase an annual Northwest Forest Pass for $30 or a day pass for $5. It’s generally easiest to purchase these passes online ahead of time, but you can also purchase them from a local vendor. Personally, I recommend the America the Beautiful pass if you can afford it, because it covers entrance fees for all national lands, including national parks.
• The Cathedral Rock Trailhead is the trailhead for Nosh Nosh Wahtum as well as several longer hikes, including Cathedral Rock, Deep Lake, and Michael Lake.
• A vault toilet is available at the trailhead.
• The final 12 miles to Nosh Nosh Wahtum via Cle Elum Valley Road are rough. The gravel road is washboarded and narrow. It’s slow going, but most cars will be able to drive it without much difficulty.
• Expect to drive through a rushing stream when visiting early in the season. We had no problem crossing it in a high-clearance vehicle in mid-June, but the water may be too high for some cars.

• Bring water, as potable water is not available at the trailhead.
• Remember to pack the 10 Essentials.
• Bring bug spray in summer and early fall. We didn’t, and in mid-June that was a real mistake. Fortunately, our friend shared his.
• Pets on leash are allowed on the trail to Nosh Nosh Wahtum.
• Looking to swim? It wasn’t hot enough for us to take a dip on our visit, although we witnessed another hiker take a quick plunge. The water is clear and weed free, but be prepared for a cold shock upon entry.
• Looking to camp? Rustic campgrounds and dispersed camping are available along Cle Elum Valley Road (NF-4330) as you make your way to the Nosh Nosh Wahtum trailhead. There are also several campsites near the shores of Nosh Nosh Wahtum for backpackers, including a horse camp.
• The road to the Nosh Nosh Wahtum trailhead may be closed in winter due to snow. The trail is often snowed in throughout winter and spring, so plan to visit Nosh Nosh Wahtum between June and September or October. We visited in mid-June, and had to traverse several small patches of snow as we neared the lake. Check road and trail reports ahead of time if you plan to visit during the shoulder season.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Nosh Nosh Wahtum is a lovely little mountain lake located far enough off I-90 to escape the crowds that flock to more easily accessible alpine wonders. The hike through the forest provides glimpses of the surrounding peaks, and the trail offers a satisfying climb without overwhelming hikers with switchbacks.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

At 5.4 miles round trip on a rugged trail, Nosh Nosh Wahtum is best for kids who have some hiking experience and stamina. On our visit, we crossed numerous shallow streams as water from snowmelt flowed over the rocky trail, and we even traversed a few remaining patches of snow as we neared the lake. The lake is a good destination for families, with space to picnic on the shore and explore. On s hot day, Nosh Nosh Wahtum would be a great place to splash and cool off.

Our eight-year-old started off this hike at a painfully slow pace. Low energy + swarming mosquitos = not the best combination. Don’t forget the bug spray! Fortunately, the bugs died down as we climbed further up the trail, and a snack break halfway up provided just the energy boost he needed. On the return trip, he was the first one back at the parking lot!

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

We were struck by the beauty of this little corner of the Cascades as we made the drive from Cle Elum Lake to the Nosh Nosh Wahtum trailhead. Several campgrounds along the route offer the chance to linger, including Wish Poosh and Cle Elum River near Cle Elum Lake, and the more primitive Scatter Creek and Fish Lake Campgrounds along NF-4330. Dispersed camping is also an option.

The immediate area around Nosh Nosh Wahtum is home to many other incredible hikes, including Cathedral Rock, Paddy-Go-Easy Pass, and Hyas Lake. This last one is a great option for an easy hike to a much larger lake.

South of I-90 near Cle Elum, we’ve enjoyed hikes to other mountain lakes, including Mirror Lake and Lake Easton. For more camping, check out Kachess Campground on Kachess Lake, which is also the perfect place to paddle.

Finally: food! Both Roslyn and Cle Ellum offer a range of places to eat and drink post-hike. We tried the beers at Dru Bru and were favorably impressed not just with the brews, but also with the free mini-golf course for the kids. Just a block from Dru Bru, Red Arrow Drive In is a classic burger joint with a shady picnic area. The sidewinder fries are excellent, and the black bean burger is pretty tasty, too.

The Juneteenth holiday landed on a Wednesday, making it the prefect opportunity for a mid-week hike. With the entire day free, we opted to drive a little further than usual for a day hike, and arranged to meet up with our friend, Dustin, at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead. The last 12 miles to the trailhead are a long but oh-so-scenic stretch of gravel road, and by the time we arrived I was ready to hike. Our goal was Nosh Nosh Wahtum, a small but scenic alpine lake.

The trailhead parking lot lay within a lush meadow dotted with wildflowers, but the trail quickly delved into the woods. We started off with a creek crossing, the first of many to come. Just ahead, a lovely bridge crossed the Cle Ellum River.

Not long after crossing the river, the trail began to climb. We encountered another rocky stream, this one a little trickier to pass than the first. The trail to Nosh Nosh Wahtum is marked with numerous small stream crossings (after the June snowmelt at least) and rocks, so watch your feet. Fortunately, despite the steady uphill climb, it’s not too steep, especially if you pace yourself.

Speaking of pacing, eight-year-old-T’s speed had slowed significantly after crossing the Cle Ellum River. Michael and Dustin pulled ahead, while I hung behind waiting for T. True, the trail was often rough, and there’s no denying that longer legs have the advantage, especially on terrain like this:

Even at a slow pace, I found myself pulling far ahead of T. This provided the perfect opportunity to pause and take in the occasional mountain view through the trees. Naturally, mosquitos love to take advantage of these peaceful pauses to create a little havoc. It’s just to keep things interesting, of course — a hike without any mad hand slapping would just be so boring, right?

The bugs were definitely getting to T as they buzzed about his head. Luckily, Dustin and Michael were waiting for us about halfway up the trail. Sure enough, Dustin brought bug spray, which I was more than happy to apply. I encouraged T to do the same.

Soon, we were on our way without any more desperate hand waving. It wasn’t just the bug spray (although that helped), but the higher we climbed, the fewer bugs we encountered. This, along with a well-timed snack break, did wonders for T’s hiking stamina. All four of us (five including the dog) hiked together as we approached the lake. Here, patches of snow still dotted the trail. Within a few weeks, it would melt away, leaving a clear path for July hikers.

We reached Nosh Nosh Wahtum at just the right time for lunch, and found a picnic spot near the lakeshore, which was delightfully mosquito-free. The translucent green water sparkled under the sun, and rocks near the water’s edge invited further exploration. It wasn’t warm enough to entice anyone in our little group out for a swim, but that was no deterrent for a backpacker passing through. He paused by the lake long enough for a quick, bracing dip, then was on his way.

After lunch, we lingered on the shores of Nosh Nosh Wahtum. The adults hiked a short distance further along the trail, which delves deeper into the wilderness and connects with numerous other trails. There is no trail to circumnavigate the lake, but going past the picnic area leads to several other beautiful creeks cascading through the forest.

Eventually, it was time to return. We made our way back down the trail, carefully navigating the snow and slippery creek crossings. All in all, it wasn’t difficult, although a few spots seemed steeper than I recalled from the way up. T was now on a tear, jetting down the trail at lightning speed (at least when compared with the snail’s pace of the initial climb). We adults took a little more care as we hiked. After all, middle age offers the knees no favors.

As we neared the trailhead, the path leveled out and we once again crossed the crystal clear waters of the Cle Ellum River. It was a beautiful end to a satisfying hike. We still had another 12-mile drive on a rutted gravel road ahead of us, but no matter. So often, the road less traveled leads to someplace spectacular, and this is one road I can’t wait to travel again.