Talapus and Olallie Lakes
Nov 08, 2009
by
David S.
—
last modified
Nov 08, 2009 08:50 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Talapus and Olallie Lakes
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Agency: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Trails: Talapus Lake (#1039)
- Avg Rating: 3.52
- Be Aware Of
- Mudholes
- Water on trail
- Snow on trail
On a rainy Sunday, the trail started off wet and muddy with some snow, but it was easily hikeable all the way up to Talapus Lake. By the time we got to the lake it was pretty snowy on the trail and there were lots of very watery sections. After that, it started to get significantly snowier until we were walking on solid packed snow with foot-deep powder all around for the last mile to Olallie Lake. The trees were regularly dumping fresh snow on the ground and our heads. We were fine in hiking boots, though, and you probably will be too for another week or so. Both lakes were beautiful, with a very thin layer of ice just covering the water and fog covering over the mountains just above us. The scenery is amazing with the green conifers, grey-blue ice-water and white ground, so if you've never been hiking in the winter I highly recommend it. No apparent avalanche danger that I could see. The road to the trailhead is in good shape.
It was very cold so be sure to dress warmly and remember that it gets dark early now, especially under the forest canopy. I was amazed to meet a couple heading uphill from Talapus Lake at 2:30 wearing jeans - don't do that, wear layered synthetics and plan to be back by 4 unless you like hiking in narrow snow tracks after dark.
It was very cold so be sure to dress warmly and remember that it gets dark early now, especially under the forest canopy. I was amazed to meet a couple heading uphill from Talapus Lake at 2:30 wearing jeans - don't do that, wear layered synthetics and plan to be back by 4 unless you like hiking in narrow snow tracks after dark.
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
