Alpine Lakes Wilderness #13 - Hiking Your Own Hike at Talapus and Olallie Lakes

Memorial Day weekend seemed to draw everyone outdoors. By the time my friend Mayank and I arrived at the Talapus Lake trailhead around 8am, it felt as if half of western Washington had the same idea. Cars lined the road far beyond the parking lot, spilling downhill in every available space. The sunshine, clear skies, and promise of alpine lakes were simply too much temptation to resist.

This was Mayank's first hike of the year, and our outing became something of a compromise. I slowed my pace more than I normally would, while he pushed himself to keep up. Somewhere in the middle we found a rhythm that worked for both of us. That is one of the beautiful things about hiking with friends. It isn't always about setting records or chasing personal bests. Sometimes it is simply about sharing the trail.

The most entertaining part of the day wasn't the lakes themselves. It was watching people hike their own hike.

Families with young children worked their way steadily uphill. Dogs of every size trotted happily along beside their owners. One woman casually carried a Starbucks latte and sipped it as she walked down the trail, looking as relaxed as if she were strolling through a neighborhood park. At Olallie Lake, a man complained to his friend about not having brought enough snacks.

As we hiked, I found myself thinking about how differently people approach the outdoors. Everyone seemed to have their own reason for being there. Some wanted exercise. Some wanted family time. Some wanted photographs. Some just wanted to sit beside a lake on a warm spring day.

It reminded me of a phrase popular among long-distance hikers: Hike your own hike.

Years ago, when my brother and I climbed Mount Katahdin, he looked at me and said, "You treat this like a job."

He wasn't entirely wrong.

Lately I've been listening to the audiobook Never Finished by David Goggins. Goggins' philosophy is built around pushing beyond limits, embracing suffering, and rejecting mediocrity. There is certainly something admirable about that mindset. It has motivated countless people to achieve things they never thought possible.

Yet as I watched the parade of hikers making their way toward Talapus and Olallie Lakes, I couldn't help but think of a poem I first read nearly thirty years ago by Karl Shapiro: "Lower the Standard: That's My Motto."

I've always interpreted the poem as being about inclusion. About giving yourself permission to participate even when you won't be the fastest, strongest, smartest, or best. About doing things because they bring joy rather than because they bring achievement.

Not every hike needs to be a sufferfest.

Not every run needs to be a personal record.

Not every day needs to be spent chasing the elite version of yourself.

Sometimes there is tremendous value in simply walking through a forest on a cool sunny morning with a friend, listening to conversations, watching dogs splash in the water, and admiring a pair of alpine lakes reflecting the surrounding evergreens.

Talapus and Olallie Lakes delivered exactly that kind of day.

The only real downside came at the end.

Leaving the trailhead turned into an adventure of its own. The parking situation had deteriorated into organized chaos. Vehicles were parked far down the access road, and traffic bottlenecked where the route effectively became a one-lane road. At one point we found ourselves stuck while vehicles attempted to negotiate who would back up and who would proceed. It was a reminder that Memorial Day weekend in the Cascades requires patience both on the trail and in the parking lot.

Still, as frustrations go, sitting in traffic after a sunny morning beside alpine lakes ranks pretty low on the list.

The trail was crowded. The parking was a mess. Progress was sometimes slow.

And yet everyone was there for the same reason.

To hike their own hike.

If You Go

Trail: Talapus Lake and Olallie Lake

Location: Near North Bend, just off I-90

Distance: Approximately 6 miles round trip to visit both lakes.

Elevation Gain: Around 1,000 feet.

Difficulty: Moderate. Well-maintained trail with steady climbing but suitable for most hikers.

Best Time: Spring through fall. Memorial Day weekend offers beautiful conditions but expect crowds.

Parking: Arrive early. On popular weekends the lot may be full by 8:00 a.m., with vehicles parked far down the access road.

Highlights:

• Two scenic alpine lakes on one outing

• Family-friendly hiking

• Excellent trail for introducing new hikers to the Cascades

• Dog-friendly

• Great people-watching and a chance to experience every kind of hiker enjoying the outdoors

Tip: Bring more snacks than you think you'll need. At least two hikers on the trail would strongly recommend it.