Trip Reports

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 :)

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?

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.

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

Well this was our first time to the Lake Serene, and I was really pleased with it, from the pictures I saw on the internet I thought the big highlight would be the waters falls, because to me the Lake Serene looks to much like Lake 22, which is a hike I rather often. But when I got to the lake i was surprised at the size of it and the mountains around it. The only part of this hike I didn't enjoy were the Stair Master Mountain Edition and the fact i left me memory card at home so I could only take a couple pictures.

The parking lot was getting full when we arrived just after 11am. The trail was somewhat crowded all the way up -- had expected that most people would turn around at Bridal Veil Falls.

The trail itself was in good condition, but rather rough (lots of rocks) for most of the upper half, despite some neat staircases and walkways. Looked like it might get muddy easily when there is rain.

Blueberries (and other berries) were ripe; saw most a bit below the lake.

This is a very popular hike, and justifiably so. It's got a lot going for it: close to Seattle / Everett, great scenery, nice lake and waterfalls everywhere. The downside, of course, is that it tends to be full of other hikers. You can judge its popularity by the size of the parking lot - huge! I went on a weekday and, even at 7AM, there were people on the trail. So go early on a weekday.

For wildflower enthusiasts there are several unusual attractions here. This is one of the very few places in WA where you will find the beautiful Common Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens noli-tangere), which grows in great abundance along the first section of the trail. The other oddity here are the huge numbers of False Lily of the Valley found in "groves" consisting of hundreds of plants.

So by all means go, but choose a good time to avoid the crowds.

My boyfriend and I left Seattle at 8am, and arrived at the trail head around 9:30. A Northwest Forest Parking Permit is required, we picked one up at the GoldBar Family Grocer for $5.00. When we arrived at the parking lot, there were about 5 other cars, some empty with hikers already on their way, and two other families just starting like us.

Grabbed our pack with plenty of water, bathing suits and our lunch, and headed on our way. The first mile of the hike is fairly level, with a trail free of rocks in good condition. The trail Meanders up the mountain, there is an old mine that forks off to the right fairly early, we didn't have a chance to explore it but I hear it's pretty neat.

Around 1 mile there is a fork in the trail, heading up to Bridal Veil Falls. Definitely worth the extra 1/2 mile hike up the mountain, as the Water Fall is absolutely breathtaking. Neither of us has been so close to a waterfall before, let alone at the bottom of it feeling the mist as the water pummels to the rocky floor. (Having only seen Snoqualmie Falls from afar, this was quite a shock, and a highlight of the trip.) The trail up to the falls is very steep and very rocky, but at this time of the year it is dry, just be mindful of your step.

After having a banana at the falls, we hiked back down and began the trek up to the lake. It starts off innocent enough, crossing a bridge and over a smaller water fall which was only but a trickle as it has been so dry--and then it starts. All uphill, very steep, and switchback after switchback. Boy, did I feel the burn! It felt incredible to be pushing my body as I have been so preoccupied with work and school, and the scenery was beautiful, a nice break from the daily grind. The trail is in good condition, again just watch your step as it is easy to roll ankles on all of the rocks in the path. (Definitely not your bark mulched inner city trail) The trail also has many sets of stairs, which are all in good condition as well.

After about an hour and a half of good hiking (give or take--neither of us had a watch) we began to see the sunshine, and could feel that we were getting close to the end of the harsh climb. Sure enough, we began to level out (still climbing, however) and came up out of the covered forest (the majority of the trail has tree cover, which is perfect for hot, sunny days such as this one) and saw some wild berries as well as some wild flowers. The view from the top (about 3000 feet) is amazing, and could see Mount Index peeking through the trees. Finally after a bit more of a hike, arrived at the final sign announcing "Lake Serene--No camping within 1/4 mile" around a bit of a bend and there it was! Better than all the pictures, more beautiful and perfect then could be imagined. Along the way, came across about 4 other hiking groups, and arriving at the lake over on "lunch rock" there were about 6 other people.

We stayed up at the lake for the majority of the day, immediately diving in off the rock in the water for a swim--the lake is bright blue, and so clear can see straight down to the bottom. It is quite deep, at least 30 feet and very, very cold. Not to cold that you can't swim, I jumped in and it felt like the air was sucked from my lungs, but after about a minute your body gets used to it and it feels wonderful. And so cool because you can look down and see your shadow on the lake floor. Apparently I'm cold blooded as I was in their for so long. Ha!

If you keep going past lunch rock, you can beat your way on a smaller trail around the lake over to the glacier. Pretty steady stream of hikers, many coming up as we were leaving (around 3:30) which seems like a waste as that is when the sun goes down and it immediately becomes very cold. Definitely a hike you would want to make early to enjoy the warm, sunny part of the day.

A great hike, got our blood pumping, not for the weak of heart. Saw an elderly woman in nice slacks with only a water bottle (no good) and I would not recommend this hike for the younger children (at least 10 and up). Come prepared, with lots of water and some healthy snacks. We are both 20, and this hike gave us a run for our money--mad props to all those that go!!

Enjoy :)

Followed previous hikers' advice, got there early around 8:30am, and it was a good decision since by the time we came down the parking lot was nearly full. The hike itself was only a bit difficult for about 1 mi after you pass through the waterfalls. Lots of bees, some berries and flowers on the way, but no bugs at all. The lake was spectacular! Had lunch on the lunch rock, then took a swim in the lake. Hikers who had been there two weeks ago said the water was much colder this time but it was still enjoyable. All in all, a wonderful experience!

Hike was nice.. Tree's covered sun 90% of hike, keeping it cooler.

Water falls half way there, wind was blowing the mist and was a nice cool off spot.

Lake was very beautiful, and very cold. Felt good in the weather (80 - 90 degrees)

Clear skys showed mountain ranges close and far. Very awesome!

Would recommend being at the trail by 9-10 to insure time to hike, explore, and enjoy time at lake.