Chain Lakes Loop

9/10/2026

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Chain Lakes Loop has just about all you could want in a short day hike. Stunning views of the rugged Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker, beautiful alpine lakes, and vibrant fall foliage. No wonder it’s a popular destination!

Since we would be hiking with a baby in a carrier on our chest, we thought the best plan would be to start our hike from Artist Point going clockwise, then Katie and baby would end their excursion at Austin Pass and I would carry on back up to Artist Point to retrieve the car.

Views were great right from the start

Traversing through meadows

Fall color was starting to pop

This plan worked out very well, and we all greatly enjoyed the hike (perhaps especially the baby, who slept the entire way). Fall color was starting to show, and Iceberg Lake was a big highlight.

Iceberg Lake was gorgeous

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Mazama Dome from the shores of Iceberg Lake

There were moody clouds clinging to Mount Baker for most of the day

Posing with Shuksan

There were huge views around every turn on this hike

After dropping the girls off on a nice bench at Austin Pass, I scurried back up to Artist Point and was impressed by the verticality of the trail – at times the man-made stairs were held together with cables and it felt more like climbing a ladder than a simple hike.

Almost back to the Artist Point parking lot

I’d put this up there as one of the top “easy” day hikes in Washington, just try to go midweek to avoid the crowds.

Bonus Pictures from the previous night's sunset at Artist Point

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