Snow Lake — Sunday, Jul. 2, 2023

Bottom Line:

How can one enjoy Snow Lake in solitude on a crazy-busy Sunday in July? On the lake in a pack-raft, way down at the west end of the lake. First pack-raft of the season on beautiful Snow Lake, with dazzling icebergs, underwater granite outcroppings, waterfalls, stunning south shore cliffs that continue under the crystal clear water, waterfalls and a secluded island; serene and beautiful (except for the hike back - yikes!)

Stats:

• Distance: 10-1/2 miles (including lake paddle)
• Duration: 5 hours
• Vertical: 1425 ft
• Road/Parking: Arrived at 8am to a ~60% full upper Alpental parking lot; some blowing dust; Northwest Forest parking pass required (this area is subject to ticketing); outhouse across the street from the trailhead; a new food truck (?!) by the trailhead (not sure how I feel about that given the congession that built into the afternoon today)
• Weather: Sunny, light wind, 50s to 70s as day warmed
• Trail: Excellent condition; most but not all waterfalls dried up; mud and patches of snow on the trail heading up the switchbacks after the Source Lake junction; trail down into the lake basin is largely snow-free, but some more mud and snow patches; today was obviously a crowded day, with most folks heading directly for the lakeshore when they reach the waterfall at lake level; easy to spread out however by heading around the north shore, first to "observation rock" and then beyond that to the Snow Lake outlet bridge by a huge log that is slowly falling apart; crowds definitely thin out as you head around the lake; way up at the north end of the lake, I did not see another soul for 90 minutes or so; from the south shore view of the mountains rising about the end of the Middlefork valley are amazing, towards Dutch Miller Gap; it is amazing how quickly the snow has melted out given the deep snow just 3 weeks ago
• Paddle: Mostly calm and glassy, but periods of light wind creating a ripple on the water; headed counterclockwise from the Snow Lake outlet at Rock Creek up the north shore (west) to the granite island, then onward to the waterfall at the very end of the lake; headed east on the cliff-laden south shore; water is very cold, and lots of icebergs towards the end of the lake; crossed from the south to north (trail) share, making quick work of the crossing as there are not a lot of opportunities for assistance should you have trouble with your boat; CAUTION: the water is very cold, and the south shore of the lake is cliff bound with no trail, so only attempt with a boat that you trust, and be prepare for self-rescue; careful of deep fracturing snowfields on the south shore that could crash into the lake unexpectedly and calve more icebergs; there is less snow and waterfall flow than a late July pack-raft last year, so the lake basin is quickly drying out
• Flowers: Good variety of flowers on the trail, mostly notable columbine, replacing the abundant avalanche lilies of 3-4 weeks ago
• Shoutout: To the backpacking ladies picking up trash - you're awesome!
• Takeaway: Snow Lake is beautiful from the trail, but simply spectacular from a boat exploring the waterfalls, icebergs, island and south cliffs; the south cliffs continue underwater, and with the water clarity, create a stunning underwater panorama with the right light conditions (hard to capture on video though)

Forgot a camera memory card, so only phone pics today!

The attached 4K video shows the counterclockwise pack-raft around the west end of the lake; it was truly spectacular and a whole different world.