Trip Reports

The parking lot at the summer trailhead is no longer accessible, and "no parking" signs line both sides of the Alpental road north of I90. Ended up parking on the ski lot.

Conditions were good for snowshoeing. Except for a few small stream crossings, the trail was covered in snow, but had been well broken -- at least up to the third switchback, which was as far as we got before having to turn around.

Oh, I guess I can't become "Just a skier" at this time of year. So be it - "just a hiker" just skied Amabilis Mt today.

Great, exhausting trip with lots of help from my friend and two guys we met in the parking lot. They were stronger but we managed to trade off trail breaking with me doing the least. At parking lot level there was enough snow for skiing around a few wet spots and tire tracks. As a matter of fact, a couple of vehicles managed to get a few blocks up the road on the north side of I-90.

Once we started the climb there was more than enough snow and then more and more snow. I'd say we had 12 to 16 inches of the white stuff once we were about 2/3's of the way up. Took the left fork at the junction and plodded on up and up. We stopped around 3,800 feet for some food when two continental gentlemen caught up. Since we broke trail to that point, they continued on. While munching another couple came through and also proceeded on. Our group then started up. The clouds forecasted were moving in and the sun, oh, yes, we had great sun for most of the way up, was beginning to hide. We stopped just short of the summit with the view of the lake in the attached photo. Everyone was pretty spent and the first day of skiing had taken its toll.

I, the only skin-up person removed mine for the jaunt on down. The waxless folks did not have any prep and headed on down.

I'd say by the junction, the sun started to break out a bit again. At the junction, the groomer has made two sets of ski tracks but no corduroy in the center - just a raised rib of snow. The way back down to the parking lot was a bit bumpy and wavy and the snow heavier.

It was a phenomenal day and an even greater first day of the SKI season. I appreciated being back on skis as last season did not happen for me due to issues with the exception of one day in April. So welcome back snow from Just a Skier.

Speaking of trail breaking and grooming, today was the last day when a sno-park permit was NOT required. Nov 15, tomorrow, is the first day and Amabilis requires both the parking and grooming permit for an obscene total of $80.00.

I suspect that the mini-pineapple express will blow the superb conditions for another week........

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 :)

I heard that the landslide across FS 54 was cleared this fall so I went out to explore the Horseshoe Ridge Loop. I started at the lower Siouxon trailhead at the end of FS 5701 and did the loop counter-clockwise.

The Siouxon was in great shape, relatively dry despite recent rains because the ground is so rocky. The Horeshoe Ridge trail, however, had LOTS of trees across the trail, particularly on the climb up and descent. The ridge top had few trees and was actually really nice. It was cloudy and even snowed a bit up top, or I might have seen some cool views.

There was a couple inches of snow on the southeast end of the loop near the jct with spur road 320.

Even though I had to scramble across lots of trees and the trail is very steep and unmaintained, it was still a cool hike if you like that sort of thing.

Today was a fine day to do Mt Si, via the Old Si trail: sunny, nice temps, no snow til where the Old Si trail joins up high with the regular Si trail. By the time we got there, at about 11:30 or so, the snow was warmed up and soft enough not to need traction devices, for the most part, going up. There was a nice path in the snow and, near the haystack, some bare ground to sit, and enjoy the sun, views, and our lunches. We did use traction devices on the way down, back to where the Old Si trail turns off. Photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/[…]/

What a wonderful day for a quick mountain hike! 32 degrees, blue skies and snow. The trailhead for Granite Lakes is a short unmarked gated driveway off of the Snoqualmie middle fork road about 300 yards from Mailbox trailhead. There is room for 3 cars max if they are all friendly. The trail is a forest service road that gains 2300 feet elevation in 5 miles yet you don't notice it. The grade starts out gentle on a leaf carpeted road in the cool shade of Mailbox Peak. At about 1.5 miles it comes to the first S curve with a shortcut. From there it gains altitude, rounds a corner at 2.4 miles and at 2.6 miles crosses an overgrown bridge. From there the trail climbs more steeply 1.5 miles more to a second S curve. Here is where the snow starts. At first it is only 2" thick and crusty. The next mile is steeper to the fork in the road with a sign. Go left for Thompson Lake and right for Granite Lakes. The trail never actually goes to the Granite Lakes shorelines - it stops short above them and it would take bushwhacking to get to the lake shores.

All along the road/trail is clear and very well drained. All the culverts are clear and the bridge is sturdy. There are no obstructions. This is a great snowshoe route for winter and a good 10 mile round trip workout.

There is a sign on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie road at the Mailbox trailhead announcing that the road is closed 5.2 miles further on. Sure enough, there is a gate with a Fish & Wildlife ranger there to turn you around. Many dumptrucks on the road, indicating that they are doing massive repairs further on. The ranger said they would have the Middle Fork road and the Taylor river road open by spring. The road between the Mailbox trailhead and the ranger is open and clear and has loose gravel in places making driving like on sand dunes.

Greenwater Lakes Trail 11-12-09 Hike #93
I've been sick for a week and laying around so today was the day to get off the couch and back to the trails! I'm almost to my goal of 100 hikes this year.. I know I can do it!
Top 10 reasons why I love Greenwater Lakes Trail
Trail is so soft under my feet, seldom ever see anyone, water fall, lakes, old growth forest, mushrooms, bridges, creeks running beside the trail, easy access from FS RD 70, it's great in any season. I could go on but I said top 10..
I arrived at the trail promptly at 9, FS RD 70 is icy in spots but overall not bad. I only white knuckled once. I had the trail all to myself till I was coming back, only one other soul out today. It was 28 degrees when I started. I packed along my snow shoes but didn't need them. If I hadn't packed them it would have dumped snow I'm sure. I enjoyed every moment of the trail today, savored each tree, I took video of my journey today. New camera, you know how that is.. youtube here I come..
I finished up and got in my car and slowly drove the 10 miles out, on one of the blind corners I saw a car overturned. My heart pounded.. I put on my flashers and got out to see if anyone was in the car.. I couldn't see in it was so dark inside the car cuz it was flipped, I yelled and tried to open the passenger door w/o luck. The car was still running, and I smelled gas. I was 90% sure nobody was in the car. I headed down the road and hoped for the best. There is no cell service at this point. Soon I saw a young girl, she was walking with her dog, she flagged me down, I told her to get in and I was here to help. She was in shock and I didn't know the extent of her injuries. I tried to remain calm, and get her to help. I drove her to the fire station but there wasn't anyone there. She called her boyfriend and I took her to him. I just hope her injuries are minor and muscular. Really glad I could help, wished I could have done more.

Video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBWhvThAQkg

Started the hike at the Cispus Learning Center. The trail started flat and soon started winding up hill along the creek. The path to the falls is well manicured and had a few spots of water. This is not surprising since there was a good rainfall in the previous few days. There was only one location about mid way to the falls that had a small tree over the path but was low enough to allow for a step over. The water flow along the creek was good and many of the smaller falls were well feed and have a solid flow.

Visited Putrid Pete's Peak today. The details:

1) FS 9031 is in superb shape.

2) The side trail to PPP is easily found and overall in good shape (a few downed trees here and there).

3) We first encountered snow at about 3000 feet. From that point the climb soon takes on the feel of the winter route on Granite--very steep and direct to the summit. Snow was four feet deep or more in the steepest sections and postholing was horrendous. Exhausting ascent.

4) A little bit of rock is exposed on the final ridge but the snow conditions didn't improve much and any rock underneath the snow was iced over. Treacherous in spots.

5) The downclimb was deep plunge-stepping, straightforward but tedious.

If you decide to climb PPP, make it soon and bring your snowshoes and crampons and ice axe.