Lake Serene, Bridal Veil Falls
May 24, 2009
by
HikingTexan
—
last modified
May 24, 2009 06:26 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Lake Serene - Bridal Veil Falls
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Agency: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest - Skykomish Ranger District
- Trails: Lake Serene (#1068)
- Avg Rating: 4.48
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Bridal Veil Falls
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Trails: Bridal Veil Falls (#1068)
- Avg Rating: 3.33
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Be Aware Of
- Mudholes
- Water on trail
- Snow on trail
- Avalanche danger
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.
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.
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