Rainy Lake Trail #310

Rainy Lake Trail #310 is a 2-mile round-trip walk from Rainy Pass to a paved viewing area on Rainy Lake. It follows a surfaced path through subalpine forest and wet meadows, then ends beneath steep cliffs with waterfalls and a glacier in view. For a short, rewarding stop on Highway 20, I’d do it. It’s an easy walk for most hikers, with a more noticeable push on the return than the mileage suggests.

Allow about 45 to 60 minutes for the walk and a little time at the lake. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the lake; the return is uphill. The paved path contours around a sidehill, with a few benches and interpretive signs along the way. It gets heavy use, so stay on the pavement and give the fragile ground beside it a break.

Before halfway, a branch heads steeply uphill to the right. Keep straight on the paved path for Rainy Lake; the climbing branch is a different outing. The lake route is a straightforward out-and-back, so the viewpoint is your turn-around.

The paved path ends at a picnic and viewing area with benches. From there, look across the clear lake toward waterfalls spilling off the cliffs and a glacier higher in the basin. Fish can sometimes be visible in the water. This is the trail’s payoff, and it’s worth more than a quick turn-and-go if the lake is clear.