Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Central Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. under the watchful guise of majestic snow- and ice-crowned Glacier Peak. Start by following the well-groomed delight-to-hike Smith Brook Trail for 1 mile, coming to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at 4700-foot Union Gap. Left, the PCT heads south to Lake Valhalla and Mexico. Head right instead toward Janus, Grizzly, and Canada. Avoiding Union Peak's steep boulder-bound slopes, the trail descends, losing 700 feet in about a mile. Skirt boggy meadows, with glimpses down into the Rapid River valley, then begin climbing again. After traversing a brushy boulder field, cross a small creek beneath a little cascade and emerge onto a forested flat that harbors patches of blueberries. Lake Janus lies just ahead: find a short spur trail leading to the right to its grassy and welcoming shores. Children will enjoy tadpole tallying while you'll enjoy soaking your tootsies in the warm, shallow waters. Cast a lure into the emerald meadows of Jove Peak that are reflected on the placid lake surface. The 3.25-mile hike to Janus is satisfying to most people, but if you came for maximum viewing and aerobic exercise, carry on. Continue north on the PCT, rock-hopping across Janus's outlet creek. Be sure water bottles are filled here, for beyond, the life-sustaining liquid isn't always readily available. Climbing steadily but gently, the way weaves back and forth in pursuit of the Cascade crest. About 1 mile from the lake, arrive at a heathered swale complete with campsites along a sometimes flowing creek. A 5650-foot open knoll just to the west makes a good viewing and quitting spot. Otherwise carry on, reaching a 5200-foot gap in another 0.5 mile with a mouthwatering preview of the spectacular alpine scenery lying ahead. Bust out of the forest into a granite sculpture garden. Views! Labyrinth, Poet Ridge, and the White Mountains vie for your attention to the east. But the snowy volcanic monolith that is Glacier Peak, Washington's fourth-loftiest summit, draws and holds your gaze northward. In 0.5 mile beyond the gap, an overhanging ledge offers clear viewing straight down to Glasses Lake. A little farther, gaps in the forest reveal little Margaret Lake lying beneath the west side of the crest. After a slight drop, reach a 5000-foot low point where two steep, boot-beaten side paths take off for those lakes. Now gently climbing again, the trail hugs the west side of the Cascade crest, revealing nice glimpses of Mounts Hinman and Daniel. Undulating between sun-kissed heather meadows and cool groves of mountain hemlock, the trail continues along the vibrant vertebrae of Washington State. Perched in a wide cirque 1200 feet below, Heather Lake comes into view. Against an emerald backdrop with Glacier Peak hovering above, the shimmering backcountry lake looks stunning from high above. Using switchbacks, the trail then climbs steeply up open slopes, providing striking views southward all the way to Rainier. Finally, after 8 long but scenically satisfying miles, reach the unassuming 5597-foot summit of Grizzly Peak. A carpet of flowering meadows unrolls northward and entices you to keep going all the way to Glacier Peak. But your tired calves and better judgment lead you instead to lie back in the soft grasses and contemplate the beauty before you. And here in the heart of the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness it's bountiful.
Driving Directions:
From Everett head east on US 2 for 65 miles to Stevens Pass. Continue east for another 4 miles. Just after the highway divides, turn left (exercising caution crossing the westbound lanes) onto Smith Brook Road (Forest Road 6700). (From Leavenworth, reach the turnoff in 30 miles.) Follow FR 6700 for 2.8 miles to a large parking area on your left (elev. 3950 ft). Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail | Avalanche danger | Road to trailhead inaccessible
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This was not my first hike to this area but was only my 3rd snowshoe outing. I didnt have any...
This was not my first hike to this area but was only my 3rd snowshoe outing. I didnt have any issue with distance or weight even though i realy over pack on trips like this were im out in a remote area by myself.
That being said, In the future I will leave this for a summer hike. The views were obscured by thick trees for most of the trip, and if not for a gps i would have had no idea were the trail was due to the large amount of snow,(in the valley aproaching Janus Lake) and not another set of tracks anywere past smithbrook trail. Also i didnt feel safe with all the sink holes (wells) around so many trees and large boulders hidden under the snow. There were a number of water crossings (if you could call them that) As I was walking along I would come to a area were water running could be heard then there would be a deep hole were the snow had melted or fell threw down to the little stream underneath, this left me wondering how much area i was covering that just had not fell threw yet. There were around 10 times i came to areas were there were signs of this. In some of these spots the fall would be over 6ft and if you didnt break your ankle good luck crawling out without a helping hand. The last problem I encountered on this hike was crossing the rock fields that looked very prone to avalanche danger. Any way that was my take on this hike for this time of year. keep in mind im a noob when it comes to snowshoeing :) I turned back .5 miles before lake janus and retraced my steps to hwy 2 for a total of 11 miles rnd trip and 1500 ft elev. gain to saddle then 800 down into the valley and back. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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I liked the Lake Valhalla trail, so decided to return and take the companion trail to Lake Janus. While certainly...
I liked the Lake Valhalla trail, so decided to return and take the companion trail to Lake Janus. While certainly a nice lake, Lake Janus lacks the dramatic surroundings of Lake Valhalla and I continued on to the viewpoint 1.5 miles further down the trail. I almost turned around at Janus since, as I lunched along the shore, it began to rain. It was coming down hard enough to convince me that it was a real rainstorm but, fortunately, it began to clear up a few minutes later and I moved on. Sorry to say it, hikers, but summer is over.
The trail after Janus deteriorates somewhat, becoming a bit brushy at times and presenting numerous blowdowns, some big enough to test your gymnastic skills, but mostly stepovers. For the most part it's in good shape. The viewpoint lived up to expectations. The skyline would be dominated by nearby Glacier Peak on a sunny day, but this day it was hiding in the clouds. The great view of Poet Ridge (a nickname, really, it's properly part of Wenatchee Ridge) compensated amply. I've never seen them this close and was duly impressed. As the sky grew ever darker I decided to skip Glasses Lake (0.5 miles further on) and headed back. I met quite a few PCT through-hikers along the way, most coming from the terminus in Mexico and headed for the Canadian border. Chatting with some of them, I could see the "last mile lust" in their eyes as they approached the end of an epic journey. I imagine their dreams were all about sizzling hot steaks (or anything not freeze-dried) at this point! I had forgotten about the 700' previously lost between Union Gap and Lake Janus, but my legs reminded me in no uncertain terms on the way back; those vertical feet seemed bigger than before. As I drove back through Stevens Pass the skies opened, as they say, and it was pouring rain at the summit. At least it wasn't snow. Logistics: the road in is still quite driveable but is beginning to show the effects of recent rains. Watch out for potholes and washboarding. Distance to viewpoint and back: 11.6 miles. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bugs
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We're up early while it's still dark to begin our drive over Stevens Pass, and four miles beyond, then west...
We're up early while it's still dark to begin our drive over Stevens Pass, and four miles beyond, then west on Smithbrook Road (FR 6700) for three more somewhat bumpy miles to the trailhead. (My old Honda copes, so the road can't be too bad.) We recalled there are no facilities here, so stopped briefly at the pass on our way.
Boots on! And deet - mozzies are active here! Then we start up the switchbacks of the Smithbrook Trail, which soon levels out, traverses below large boulders and, at Union Gap, ends in a T-junction with the PCT. My hiking buddy Marin and I turn left, heading south on the PCT toward Lake Valhalla, now only a couple of miles away. The trail is good, slightly moist in spots but not muddy, and bordered with asters and valerian. We note a couple of snow patches several feet off the trail, and enjoy a brief sighting of a grouse. We soon reach the gap above Lake Valhalla and begin our descent. There is no breeze, so the lake surface is very still, reflecting the surroundings. At the lake, we seek out the "lunch rock," and have the lake all to ourselves. Nearby, cinquefoils and shooting stars are blooming, although less profusely than last year. Marin observes a frog in the water near the lake shore, and actually manages to rub it beneath the chin. Likely both she and the frog hope it will transform into a prince, but it does not happen before it swims away. We enjoy the views of Lichtenberg Mountain across the lake. This could be an idyllic spot, but mozzies and small flies are very active here, even more than at the trailhead, so after an early lunch break we resolve to continue on to Lake Janus, which we have never seen. Janus lies along the PCT, but in the opposite direction, so first we backtrack to the junction with the Smithbrook Trail, then navigate through a blowdown area and continue north on the PCT. The way is initially downhill - it will be uphill on our return - and it's a bit stonier than in the Valhalla direction. Some nice columbine blooming along the way. A few plops on the trail indicate the recent passage of horse packers, although we do not encounter them. After a little uphill and a small stream crossing, we reach Lake Janus. It's larger than Lake Valhalla, and in a less dramatic setting, but the surrounding are very green and the view is very relaxing. Again, amazingly, we seem to have a lake all to ourselves. The bugs are much less active here than at Valhalla, so we enjoy our leisurely second lunch break, and a variety of wildflowers, before heading out. While we had both lakes to ourselves, we did encounter a number of other hikers along the PCT, including several through-hikers. (they had skipped a section in the high Sierras due to snow conditions, but planned to backtrack to do the Sierra section after they reached Canada.) We enjoyed our two-lake hike. The two lakes are different enough to provide interesting variety, and can be reached from the same trailhead with minimal backtracking. Our total distance for the day was about 12 miles, and it's a trip we would repeat in the future.
Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak
— Aug 27, 2011
— jessihs
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bugs
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Great hike to Lake Janus with the family. The trail was beautiful and in excellent shape. There's one big blowdown...
Great hike to Lake Janus with the family. The trail was beautiful and in excellent shape. There's one big blowdown just after the intersection with the PCT, but it's very easy to navigate around - we made it no problems with a baby in an Ergo and a dog on leash. We also watched two people leading llamas navigate around it with no problems either.
One tip: get to the trailhead early! We were hiking by 8 am and there were already cars in the parking lot. By the time we got back the lot was full and people were parking on the road. We were glad to have started early and finished early. And one word of warning: the mosquitoes are BAD. Bring bug spray! Still a great hike, despite the bugs.
Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak
— Aug 22, 2011
— DestinationUp
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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DestinationUp returned to the Cascades today, after a bucket-list 11-day backpack in New Mexico! Truly the trip of a lifetime...
DestinationUp returned to the Cascades today, after a bucket-list 11-day backpack in New Mexico! Truly the trip of a lifetime :-)
And today it was time for a pleasant one-day jaunt, taking the Wonder Pup up to Lake Janus. I saw perhaps six people, and just missed talking with two through-hikers. Trail is great, unless you're a horse. Don't even try bringing stock, because of blowdowns. There are zero berries, of course. And the bugs weren't bad at all. I had 40% DEET which I put on at the car...didn't need a re-spray. Oh, and I spent a lovely hour sitting on a rock in the lake, reading my book. A delightful day all around. |
Photo by Matt Thyer.
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