The challenging Happy Lake Trail lead hikers up 3800' from the Olympic Hot Springs Road in Elwha Valley to the top of Happy Lake Ridge. The trail then splits at 4.5 miles and leads 500' down to Happy Lake, a scenic sub-alpine lake which makes the strenuous journey worthwile. 

Happy Lake - a popular fishing and backpacking destination in Olympic National Park

The Happy Lake Trail runs across steep hillsides laden with a vanilla leaf understory

Before the trail split to Happy Lake, the ridge opens up to a broad subalpine ecosystem

Happy Lake is often included as part of the Boulder Lake - Happy Lake Loop Trail

Happy Lake Ridge offers great views of the interior Olympic Mountains

Happy Lake comes into view on the final descent to the lake basin

A side trail winds around most of Happy Lake crossing several inlets

Views begin to emerge as the trail rises along Happy Lake Ridge