Glacier Lake is located 5.2 miles from Surprise Creek Trailhead in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The trail passes through some of the area's most intact old growth forests to a pair of lakes in a craggy cirque below Surprise and Spark Plug mountains, locally known as the Scenic Lakes. Travel is mild for the first 3 miles along Surprise Creek, then gains 800' in a mile up the headwall to Surprise Lake, and another 400' on the last mile to Glacier Lake.

A set of wooden stairs aids hikers up slick terrain on the Surprise Creek Trail

Surprise Lake casts a deep aquamarine color

View through the trees above Glacier Lake

Reflections at Surprise Lake

A dark Glacier Lake basin awaits the sunrise

Glacier Lake is a great backcountry camping destination