Lakes Trail Loop via Mazama Ridge

This is a 5.25-mile loop from the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, descending the Lakes Trail to Reflection Lakes and Faraway Rock, then returning by Mazama Ridge and Skyline past Myrtle Falls. Plan about four hours. This is the full Paradise circuit, not the separate, roughly 3-mile loop that starts at Reflection Lakes. Published totals range from about 5 to 5.75 miles, so treat 5.25 as a planning figure.

Head downhill from the visitor center on Lakes Trail. At the Narada Falls junction, continue toward the lakes; after crossing Paradise Valley Road, stay on Lakes Trail at the High Lakes junction. That shortcut saves nearly a mile but skips the lakeside section. The mapped line follows the connected trail corridor beside Reflection Lakes. Some written directions instead use about half a mile along adjacent Stevens Canyon Road, one reason route totals differ.

The lake section has dirt tread, roots and rocks, with steeper rock and log steps on the eastern side. From the lakes, the route climbs through forest and across creeks toward Faraway Rock. The overlook faces Louise Lake and Stevens Canyon to the east, and the Tatoosh Range and Reflection Lakes to the southwest.

Continue on Lakes Trail to the Skyline junction, then take the branch down Mazama Ridge. The return passes the 4th Crossing junction and several creeks before Myrtle Falls; the last stretch back to Paradise is downhill. Open meadows and seasonal tarns add variety to the ridge. Stay on the tread to protect the fragile subalpine meadows.