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Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Lake Serene - Bridal Veil Falls
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. Start by following an old road lined with mossy maples and alders. Cross a series of minor tributaries. Pretty in their own right, especially after a storm, these streaming streams are also eroding away chunks of tread. Next, along a thickly forested slope, the trail gradually ascends. At 1.7 miles, just after leaving the old roadbed, come to a signed junction (elev. 1200 ft.). The trail left continues on, heading to "secret" Lake Serene tucked in a deep basin beneath the spires of Mount Index. For Bridal Veil Falls, head right. The falls is 0.5 mile away. Just follow the roar, using a series of short switchbacks and stairways that steeply climb toward the tumult. Cross several side creeks and expect to get your feet wet. Be sure to pause for a moment or two to look back at the Skykomish Valley spread below. One last grunt and reach the first of two waterfall viewing platforms. Except for late summer, when the falls trickle more than pummel, the roar should be pretty deafening at this point. Don your rain parka and set out on a drenched boardwalk to embrace the cascade's full force and beauty. Bridal veil? From this proximity, it's more like a bridal shower. Literally soak up the falls beauty. When you've had enough, retreat to the trail junction and make a decision. Back to your rig, or up to Lake Serene? Serene usually wins, so carry on. Continue on the main trail, dropping a little into a damp ravine. Cross Bridal Veil Creek on a well-built bridge, and then begin climbing. On solid tread that occasionally utilizes stone steps and rock cribbing, the trail steeply ascends. A long sweep east - then a long sweep west - the way works under, over, and around cliffs, gaining 1300 feet in about 1.5 miles. Take in fine views of the valley below as well as out to Ragged Ridge and other peaks of the newly minted Wild Sky Wilderness. And Lake Serene? It lies just a short distance ahead tucked in a tight basin beneath the ramparts and parapets of fortress Index. Stare straight up those 3000-vertical-foot stark walls. Hardly serene, it's more like awe-inspiring. But when the basin is calm, those imposing rock faces delicately reflect in the lake's surface. Now, that's serene and quite a sight!
Driving Directions:
From Everett, follow US 2 east to the hamlet of Gold Bar. Continue on US 2 for 7 more miles to just before it crosses the Skykomish River (near milepost 35), and turn right onto Mount Index Road. Proceed on this dirt road 0.4 mile, turning right on the spur road signed "Lake Serene Trail 1068." The trailhead and large parking area are 500 feet farther (elev. 600 ft.). Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Clogged drainage | Washouts | Water on trail
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Trail has been "devastated." More blowdowns than I've seen on a trail since Boulder River last year. We managed to...
Trail has been "devastated." More blowdowns than I've seen on a trail since Boulder River last year. We managed to clear up to about 200 feet past the destroyed bridge with corona saws and brute strength. There are a couple widowmakers we were too scared to get down left.
The bridge has been completely washed out, but about 150 feet past it there is a blown down tree that we improved into a makeshift bridge. This should only be temporary though because I'm worried about erosion in the area. We'll be returning Friday to hopefully clear all the way to the falls.
Lake Serene - Bridal Veil Falls
— Jan 27, 2012
— Evan and Tremaine
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Snow on trail
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Lots of blowdowns from the recent storms. There was a footbridge over the creek at about a quarter mile from...
Lots of blowdowns from the recent storms. There was a footbridge over the creek at about a quarter mile from the trail head that was torn away when a large tree went down. You can still make it past but might get a bit muddy. It was our first time on the trail. We eventually lost the track in the tangles of trees and branches and had to turn back.
We were hiking with spikes but in hindsight we would have used snowshoes. Despite all the climbing over and crawling under logs and brush it was great to get out on a beautiful sunny day in winter. The road to the parking lot was inaccessible for our non-4wd vehicle but there were places to park on the road below. Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Without rain and much cloud cover, the day was pleasant for a winter hike. The first portion of the trail...
Without rain and much cloud cover, the day was pleasant for a winter hike. The first portion of the trail (leading up to the fork to Bridal Veil Falls) is in good condition, and muddy in a few places but manageable.
The trail to Bridal Veil Falls is in good condition and the falls are partially frozen. For the last half mile to Lake Serene, there is a light amount of snow and quite a bit of frozen puddles that make it easy to slip. Lake Serene was frozen over and blanketed in snow, and the surrounding cliffs were awesome and imposing. Of course there's ice and snow surrounding the lake as well, so be careful! Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Super day for a hike, decided to do a new one and head up to Lake Serene. We arrived at...
Super day for a hike, decided to do a new one and head up to Lake Serene. We arrived at the parking lot around 10:20am. Went to the falls first, half frozen but still a great view point. Headed back down the 1/2 mile, and onward to the lake. About 1/4mile from the top we met with a hiker and was warned of the ice. No kidding. We managed with only basic hiking boots but one wrong step could easily break an ankle. The lake was stunning, and probably with a foot deep of ice on top(not that i cared to test that theory). We climbed the little bit to "lunch rock" and took some pictures but it was way to windy to hunker down for lunch there. Found a nice big rock blocking the wind, ate while listening to the small avalanches around the lake, and headed back down, passing a couple groups on the way up. Will be back in the spring. :)
Lake Serene - Bridal Veil Falls
— Jan 08, 2012
— Mandrea
Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Great trip up to Lake Serene, finally got to see the headwalls of Index (the other 2 attempts have been...
Great trip up to Lake Serene, finally got to see the headwalls of Index (the other 2 attempts have been thwarted by clouds and fog.) Trail is clear of snow to around 1/4 mile before the lake, and is easily negotiated. The lake is frozen and surrounding areas are snowbound, ate lunch on a fallen tree to the sound of snow and ice sloughing off the sheer faces above.
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Lake Serene. Photo by Happy Camper.
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Lake Serene - Bridal Veil Falls
VANDALISM OF PARKED CARS. Windows of 3 cars SMASHED OUT in the parking lot this Sunday morning. Arrived at lot at 10 AM and saw that 3 cars had had the window smashed out! This is a secluded gravel lot. NOT a safe place to park.