| Lower Florence Lake | |
| Location: | Chelan County, Washington, United States |
| Coords: | 47.6537°N -120.9393°W |
| Outflow: | Unnamed[1] |
| Basin Countries: | United States |
| Area: | 1.6acres |
| Elevation: | 5794feet |
| Pushpin Map: | Washington#USA |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of Eightmile Lake in Washington, USA. |
Lower Florence Lake is a freshwater lake located on the west skirt of Ladies Peak and Cape Horn, and North of Grindstone Mountain, in Chelan County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout.[2] Lower Florence Lake is located further down the slope from Upper Florence Lake, approximately 15 miles west of the city of Leavenworth. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit is required for transit within the Lake Alice area.[3]
Along with neighboring lakes, Lake Florence was given its name by Albert Hale Sylvester,[4] a topographer for the United States Geological Survey working throughout the North Cascades National Park Complex sometime between 1949 and 1957.[5]
The foot trail starts at the Chatter Creek Trailhead at the end of USFS Road 7609 on the north shore of Icicle Creek. Chatter Creek Trail #1580 is approximately 5.5 miles long and travels fairly closely to the course of Chatter Creek. The trail leads past Lake Sylvester and Lake Alice reaching and joining Icicle Ridge Trail #1580 on the north skirt of Grindstone mountain.[6] Upper Florence Lake is located just under the main trail along the summit of Icicle Ridge,[7] west out of the junction with Chatter Creek Trail. Icicle Ridge Trail shortly afterward will bend left straight towards Upper Florence Lake over Mary ridge approximately 3/4 mile down the slope.[8] Lower Florence Lake is further down the skirt of the ridge.
Campsites are located along the first few miles of Chatter Creek Trail until the trail becomes more forested around the bowls formed for Lakes Sylvester and Alice. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Grindstone Mountain area and can be obtained at the Chatter Creek Trailhead and the Campground past the Guard station.[9]
Access to Icicle Ridge Trail can also be gained by Fourth of July Trail #1579 and from the Icicle Ridge Trailhead off Icicle Road in the city of Leavenworth.[10]