3.69 miles round trip. 650' elevation gain total. Snow all the way, some form of traction recommended along with poles. Snowshoes not needed until more fresh powder comes along. Crampons worked well on compacted trail. 3 hours total with long lunch break at the Lake.
Forecast was for rain, but as we approached Alpental Exit (#52)at Snoqualmie Pass the sky was just overcast and didn't look like rain. Parked at the uppermost lot at Alpental next to the trailhead Source Lake (water tower road). Snow was pretty solid with just an inch or two over the harder crust.
Snowshoes were not needed as the trail was hard packed all the way. Wore Katoolah micro-spikes for traction, but carried snowshoes and crampons just in case. Trail was easy to follow. The only challenging portion is gaining the 120-140 feet of elevation at the waterfall near the middle of the hike. Traction and a handy axe was reassuring making it up the hard packed snow for those steep 140 vertical feet.
Arrived at the lake and found two partial snow caves there, so we set about digging one out with a "snow claw" to make a shelter from the wind and rain while we ate lunch there at the lake.
Ours was the only car at 10:30am, and when we returned around 2pm there were a total of 4 cars. Saw no one going in to the Lake and had the lake to ourselves for a good 1/2 hour or more. A 2-party group arrived as we were getting ready to head back. They came down to Source Lk from the upper summer trail through the avalanche chute below Chair Peak, not exactly the recommended trail for winter, but they were young and "brave." The only other hiker we saw was a lone snowshoe lady on the return trail. A very quiet day and it was great.
The rain finally hit about 1PM and the return trip was in pretty much constant rain and about 38 degrees.
More pictures of the hike and route here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33346716@N03/sets/72157625774936577/
Comments