I was looking for a short, easier hike near Snoqualmie Pass and this one fit the bill. I started around 10am on a Monday just as the last of the morning fog was burning off. There were already 8-10 cars near the PCT trailhead. Parking is practically limitless here but there is no toilet at the trailhead. This is one of those hikes where the payoff is immediate - awesome views of Snoqualmie Mountain, Guye Peak, Red Mountain and Kendall Peak for the first mile of the hike. The wildflowers are past their prime but I did find a few individual paintbrush flowers here and there.
After crossing under a few chairlifts and just before reentering the forest, you will see Beaver Lake on your right. The water level is quite low at the moment but the lake still provided some photo-worthy views. As you enter the forest, the trail heads downhill towards Lodge Lake. It doesn't really feel like much of a hill but you will definitely notice the slope on your way back!
Lots of cool mushrooms are popping up along the trail. I saw at least half a dozen different types before reaching the right hand spur trail to Lodge Lake. Lodge Lake itself can feel a bit underwhelming sometimes because the shoreline is so muddy; however, the water level right now is low enough to allow for some exploration and the lake reflections were lovely on this beautiful sunny morning.
I returned to the trail and went just a bit further southbound on the PCT to check out the small wetland on the left hand side just beyond a nice boardwalk. I found a few ripe blueberries here but the tastiest berries by far were on the bright red bushes just beyond the ski lifts but well before reaching Beaver Lake.
3 hours (at a snail's pace), 5 miles, 900 feet elevation
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