Lake Serene
Last modified
Nov 01, 2009 11:27 AM
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Craggy peaks from the trail to Lake Serene. Photo by Lindsay Leffelman.
The trailhead is easy to find, marked by a large gate across it. Near here is a helpful map, describing the trail. Walk past the gate and onto a long-abandoned road, closed to vehicles. Walk it through great alders, birches and pines. You'll soon intersect a jeep track coming up from the left, also closed to vehicles. The old road soon ends at a clearing. There's a neat side-trip here, to the old Honeymoon Mine. For it, go right, into the clearing. A narrow path leads to the mine, with a fascinating (relatively safe) tunnel to poke around in. Back at the clearing, find the trail to your left-ish. The creek you'll come to is an easy ford, but better is an extremely muddy-slippery path to the rickety bridge. Once across, the trail (actually an ancient mining road) winds up the creek valley, in great second-growth trees, usually in earshot of the nice brook. Soon, you will come to a junction. The right fork switchbacks about 6 times, and up stairs to Bridal Veil Falls, a gigantic, billowing waterfall plunging over huge granite cliffs. More switchbacks down lead back to the junction. From its left fork, the trail dips down to a long bridge over gorgeous, spaying Lower Bridal Veil Falls. It winds on to a smaller creek/falls crossing. (It's bridgeless; be careful when crossing mossy rocks.) From here, the trail switchbacks up and up and up, in old-growth forest. There are great views to the Skykomish Valley and Monte Cristo area peaks along the way. The trail climbs very steeply up stairs and switchbacks (28, count 'em!) until finally flattening out on rock filled cribbing, with views down to the woods where you came from. The trail goes over a small hill to beautiful, sparkling,(or maybe fog-filled), Lake Serene. It really is, too! At the lake, look up-up-up-up--(keep going!) to the towering summit of Mount Index. Be sure to take lots of pictures! Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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There is a lot of water on the trail, and there are several tricky creek crossings. One creek crossing, in...
There is a lot of water on the trail, and there are several tricky creek crossings. One creek crossing, in particular, could be disastrous if you slip and fall - a few feet from the crossing, the creek cascades over a cliff. Or, being sensible, you could remove boots and socks for a frigid wade across.
Above 2000' the snow begins and, by the time you get to the lake, it is knee deep. Snowshoes and gaiters recommended (of course, mine were back in the car). So, if heading this way, bring the proper equipment (do as I say, not as I do!). And I wouldn't plan on using the outdoor toilet at the lake (you could literally "freeze your a** off"). The view of Mt. Index at the lake is awesome. I spent a few minutes just watching and listening to the continuous snow and rock falling from the upper reaches. Prudence would dictate staying away from that side of the lake. Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Due to recent snow showers, i decided that i was going to hike some place where the highest point of...
Due to recent snow showers, i decided that i was going to hike some place where the highest point of the hike was less than 3000 ft. Lake serene fitted very well here. I was happy that it took just an hour to get to the trailhead and not lot of travel on pothole roads.
The trailhead itself was dusted with snow. There were around 7 cars at 10:15 AM. The first 1.5 mile of the trail was easy, with not much snow. There was lot of snow, but less than an inch to cause any real problems. There were a few stream crossings but most of them could be handled with ease. The last 2 miles of the hike had lot more snow. I was just using normal hiking boots, and during the hike i realized it was not enough. The last 1 mile of the hike had atleast a foot or 2 of snow. And some tough stream crossings too which were slippery. I somehow managed to reach the lake after some struggle in the snow. But the whole trail was surreal and had a heavenly feel with just black and white colors due to the snow. Fresh powdered snow has its own beauty and there are a very few things that can beat it in terms of beauty. The lake was definitely calm, serene and extremely beautiful. The lake has started freezing around the edges, and there was lot of snow around the lake. Mount Index and the surrounding jagged peaks reminded me many times of Grand Teton. Washington is definitely a beautiful state with such awesome landscapes. I spent about half an hour at the lake taking pictures and marvelling at those beautiful jagged peaks. While coming back, i did a side-trip to Bridal Veil falls, which was actually quite good too. A waterfall in a snowy setting is always a treat even though the flow was quite low. The whole trip [including the falls] took me around 4:15 hrs. It was very slippery when coming down due to snow/ice. If you plan to go to Lake Serene, take hiking poles for balance, and use good water proof and snow proof gaiters, expecting atleast 2 foot of snow at the last sections of the trail. Its definitely a fun hike :) Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Started at 12.30, light rain. Trails often full of water, like walking in stream. Stream crossings are easy enough...
Started at 12.30, light rain. Trails often full of water, like walking in stream. Stream crossings are easy enough for experienced hikers, may be unpleasant for newbies. Light snow at about 2300ft, not quite an inch at the lake. Snow-covered bridges sloped gently sideways, requiring care to not slip.
Autumn golds and yellows still around. Very beautiful. Light steady rain most of the way up. Was snowing on top. Dry for a bit to allow photography. Rain/snow picked up and was heavy by 4.30. Pretty dim light by 5pm. Headlamp came in handy to keep my feet dry on last stream crossing abot 20 min from car. Was pretty full on dark by 5.30. An 18in diameter tree blocked trail about half way. Easy to walk around. Great day to test out your gear - can you stay comfortable in all day rain and wet snow with temps in 30s and 40s?
Lake Serene
— Oct 17, 2009
— Gromit
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail
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What a great hike. Trail was well marked. Lot's of rain but we had the right gear. ...
What a great hike. Trail was well marked. Lot's of rain but we had the right gear. Beautiful views from the ridge just before the lake. Wispy clouds and fall colors could be seen for miles from the ridge. Time to the lake took about 2 hours, hit it fairly hard and didn’t stop until we reached the lake. Last 2/3 of the hike gains a lot of elevation with steps and a very rocky trail with lots of switch backs. Some great waterfalls bottom 1/3 of the hike. Lake was crystal clear. This is a popular hike but the rain kept all but 6 or 8 folks from the trail this day.
Day hike
Features:
Ripe berries
Issues:
Water on trail | Bugs
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This hike was excellent. Because I hiked early Monday morning, I didn't see any crowds. In fact, I didn't see...
This hike was excellent. Because I hiked early Monday morning, I didn't see any crowds. In fact, I didn't see anyone until I was on my way down.
The things I especially liked about this hike: + Once you get to the top, it's not difficult to find ripe blueberries + Every step you take is rewarded handsomely. The first two miles seem really easy, and you end up in front of a waterfall. From there, it seems to ascend much more rapidly, but with each switchback you see more and more of the scenery + The lake is appropriately named. The lake was completely still. So much so, in fact, that I didn't realize that it was a lake at all, as the reflection of Mount Index was undistorted by ripples. I could imagine, though, if there were crowds, the lake wouldn't seem so serene. The things I wasn't crazy about: + I didn't see any wildlife (except for the slug below) + Even from the top, the sounds of cars and trains were audible |
Driving Directions
Drive US Hwy. 2 east from Everett. If driving eastward, just before the bridge over the S. Fork Skykomish River, turn right on paved Mount Index County Road (right after mile marker 35). The pavement ends very soon, and the gravel road continues until it forks. Take the right fork, a very steep, narrow, dusty road about 0.3 miles to a huge gravel parking area. (With privies!) The trailhead is uphill, just beyond the parking area. |
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