Weekend Gem-Jade’s Surprise Loop

Jade Lake

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness holds a lot of amazing places in it’s core. From high windswept ridges to deep blue lakes tucked into the granitic mountainsides, it’s got it all. This 36 mile trip takes you up cascading Deception Creek from Rd. 6088 to it’s Pass and onward into the meadowy expanse below Marmot Lake, where you can find a great camp off trail basecamp at Hozbizz Lake. The next day, pack up a daypack and head on up through the meadows and a few easy switchbacks to Marmot Lake and upwards to Jade Lake. This next 1.5 miles is a bit of a scramble, so take a nice break before heading up. Walk the lakeshore trail past 2 small rock fields on your left, disregarding strange carins left by confused hikers. Take the 3rd rockslide (more of a gully) that is on the far end of the lake upwards. The easiest path skirts the left side of this gully higher before opening up to the delightful meadows that surround No Name Lake, just below Jade. A few more minutes of walking delivers you to the alluring waters of Jade Lake where hours can be spent swimming, relaxing or exploring higher to Dip Top Gap located over your left shoulder adjacent to a snowfield. After soaking in the awe inspiring lake, head on down past the crowds at Marmot back to your quiet camp at Hozbizz and enjoy a peaceful twilight watching deer graze in the meadows.

Nice old growth in the Deception Creek Drainage

No Name Lake

Jade Lake right before a dip

Marmot Lake

The next morning, scoot back over to the Pass and hook up with the PCT heading north past lovely Daisy and Deception Lakes. Now, take the split here to the right on TR. 1063 over the perfect notch of Surprise Gap with it’s commanding views of rocky Glacier and Surprise Lakes and head on down. Big boulders line your way as you take the high road past Glacier on your way to a great camp at Surprise. Ignore the PCT split on your right heading to Trap Pass and head on down to the lake to make camp for the night. When you finally reach Surprise’s green waters, ignore the left hand “camp” sign and head to the north shore of the lake where better camps can be found. The next morning, head down Surprise Creek as it quickly makes it way back to back to HWY 2 and make a left for a short 2 mile back to your car at Deception Creek. Take a minute to reflect on the amazing scenery that you just hiked through before heading home.

Glacier Peak dominates the skyline from Surprise Gap

Sunset at Surprise Lake