Bridal Veil Falls
Last modified
Nov 03, 2009 03:53 AM
By Paul Randall.
Eventually, the trail drops off the old logging road and heads down into the creek valley. Here it a more traditional trail. For a second growth forest, the path is quite dark and cool. Notice the logging scars of stump remnants with the notches cut in the sides of them. At the junction, take the short ½ mile side trail to a view point directly below the upper Bridal Veil Falls. You will be impressed. Return the way you came. This trail is great for kids. Recent Trip Reports
Hiked here recently?
Submit a trip report!
There are
15
trip reports for this hike.
See all trip reports for this hike.
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
The trail overall is nice. Second-growth forest. There are a few large trees near the falls. There...
The trail overall is nice. Second-growth forest. There are a few large trees near the falls. There are small brook crossings in which some would require trekking poles or a hiking stick if ones balance is not good on smaller slippery rocks. There are over 12 of these crossings. There is a lot of water flowing on many parts of the trail an inch or two deep. One of the most dangerous parts of the trail is near the beginning when a creek has to be crossed. The bridge is at a dangerous height and angle on both planes and it changes its angle at the half way point. There is no hand rail and it is especially dangerous when wet. Try to cross the creek at the washout if water is low.
Other than that, the end point is well worth the hike! Enjoy! Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
This is a very popular hike, and justifiably so. It's got a lot going for it: close to Seattle /...
This is a very popular hike, and justifiably so. It's got a lot going for it: close to Seattle / Everett, great scenery, nice lake and waterfalls everywhere. The downside, of course, is that it tends to be full of other hikers. You can judge its popularity by the size of the parking lot - huge! I went on a weekday and, even at 7AM, there were people on the trail. So go early on a weekday.
For wildflower enthusiasts there are several unusual attractions here. This is one of the very few places in WA where you will find the beautiful Common Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens noli-tangere), which grows in great abundance along the first section of the trail. The other oddity here are the huge numbers of False Lily of the Valley found in "groves" consisting of hundreds of plants. So by all means go, but choose a good time to avoid the crowds. Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
We arrived at the trailhead at about 11am. The parking lot was nearly full. The trail is pretty...
We arrived at the trailhead at about 11am. The parking lot was nearly full. The trail is pretty dark and cool so even on a warm day you should wear layers. The first 1.7 miles is a pretty gentle slope upwards. The trail is rocky so wear good shoes. The spur trail going up to the falls is a lot steeper. It climbs a good 300-400 feet in that half a mile. Some of the rocky sections are precarious so be careful with small children. I definitely recommend bringing hiking poles. The few boardwalks can become slippery from the spray of the falls so be careful there too. There are wooden enforced steps the equivalent to about 4-5 flights. They are pretty steep. I could see little kids having a hard time with the big steps.
Once you reach the falls all the steps are worth it. It is an impressive cascade. At this time of year the flow is really up too with the snow melt from Lake Serene above. Be careful trying to get a good shot of the falls. The rocks and logs are very slippery.
Lake Serene, Bridal Veil Falls
— May 31, 2009
— Mangy Marmot
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
This was an early morning jaunt up to Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene. The falls were quite nice. Lots...
This was an early morning jaunt up to Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene. The falls were quite nice. Lots of water coming down. Heavy spray in the observation area. There was one narrow, but steep snow patch to cross. It was a bit sketchy early in the morning when the snow is firm, but should be no problem once the sun softens it up. The rest of the trail is in good condition.
The trail to Lake Serene is also in good conditions. A few places have a little bit of mud. A few snow patches across the trail near the lake, but nothing dangerous. The lake is still almost completely frozen. There is still a fair amount of snow around the lake. The lake is stunning. I highly recommend going all the way to the lake. I also recommend an early morning start to beat the heat and the crowds. I had the lake to myself at 8:00 AM, but on the way down, I saw many groups on the way up. I bet by noon it's not as serene.
Lake Serene, Bridal Veil Falls
— May 24, 2009
— HikingTexan
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail | Avalanche danger
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Started the day around 10am, with the parking lot maybe 1/3 full. The trail was in excellent shape. ...
Started the day around 10am, with the parking lot maybe 1/3 full. The trail was in excellent shape. Took the fork onto Bridal falls, but could not make it. There is an area of snow (roughly 5ft. tall with overhang) that did not allow us to continue. Perhaps with a shovel, one could continue on.
We continued on the main trail, which was always in good shape. Went through all the switchbacks and stairs, which are much easier on the way down :), until we hit the snowfield. The last quarter mile of the trail is through a snowfield. We crossed through and made it to the lake. The snowfield is slick and thin at times, so watch your footing. We continued onto Lunch Rock to find some solitude for lunch. This did require a traverse on a fairly steep incline across the snowfield, so again, be careful. A slip may lead you into the lake. The lake is probably about 95% covered in snow....so you really just see a big snowfield. However, the views are extremely worth it. While having lunch, we saw an avalanche on the other side of the lake. While it was still going on, we heard another 10-15 booms, indicating another avalanche, but could not see it. Let that be warning that the snow is quite soft in areas, and it is very easy to step through the snow and hurt yourself. Hiking poles would definitely be useful on this hike. After lunch we made our way back down, passing a lot of parties headed uphill. A fair amount of dogs, which I always enjoy. There are some areas of mud and streams to cross, but nothing is extremely slick or impassable. All in all, a great hike for the warm May weather. |
Driving Directions
To get to the trailhead, travel east on Highway 2 (paved) from Monroe, WA. At milepost 35.2, about 21 miles east of Monroe, turn right onto Mount Index Road (Forest Road 6020 - gravel). Travel 0.3 mile on Forest Road 6020 and branch right onto Forest Road 6020-109 (gravel). The trailhead parking is just ahead. The junction is signed. Forest roads 6020 and 6020-109 are both passable to any passenger vehicle. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. There are two outhouses in the parking area, elevation: 600 feet.
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
