Best Hikes in Washington State: Blanca Lake   Blanca Lake is one of those pinch me I must be dreaming this is too beautiful to be real lakes. Seeing that otherworldly teal lake when you crest the summit makes every step and switchback of that tough 3300 feet of elevation gain 100% worth it. With its minty green surreal color Blanca Lake is one of the most stunning lakes in the Henry M. Jackson wilderness or possibly even the whole Cascades. The Beginning half of the trail is very tough being almost all switchbacks and gaining almost 3,000 feet in less than 3 miles. The beginning is a beautiful forest with many large trees and lots of wildlife. Once you finally get to the top crest of the trail the hike becomes considerably easier. Instead of pain in each step you get to stroll along a beautiful alpine ridge with a gorgeous view of Glacier Peak on a clear sunny day. The two times that I have done this hike you could only partially see Glacier Peak through the clouds. But still very impressive. Depending on the time of year you can take a well-deserved break and munch on some wild huckleberries. There are tons growing up there along the way.   The peaks surrounding Blanca Lake are Monte Cristo, Columbia, and Keyes. The runoff from the Columbia Glacier feeds into Blanca Lake through a waterfall that can be seen in the picture above. It’s the unsorted clay and rock sediment called glacial till that gives Blanca its unique ethereal minty hue. After the ridge you will begin a downward decent past Virgin Lake. When you first reach this stagnant bog of a lake do not despair, as my friend and I did the first time we went on this hike, thinking that perhaps the pictures on the internet of Blanca were just overly photoshopped beyond recognition. This swampy lake is Not Blanca. Blanca Lake lies beyond Virgin Lake as a kind couple thankfully pointed out to us. Virgin lake is made up entirely from rainfall and melting snow with no river flowing in or out. We heard several frogs croaking as we went by.   You continue past Virgin Lake down about 700 feet for .5 mile over some rough terrain that you have to be extra cautious about tripping over. Then soon enough you will see Blanca Lake in her full teal glory. Victory! You made it! You can take some epic pictures at the viewpoint before continuing down to the shore of the lake. Usually other hikers are also snapping pictures away in this spot and it is easy to ask them to take a pic of you and your group of friends and vice versa. Down at the base of the lake you can just sit in awe of the stunning landscape, eat your lunch, kick back and relax. There is a good sized rock to the right of the lake that is perfect for jumping…