Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak — Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

Did the hike out to Grizzly Peak and back - it is just over 16 miles round-trip and took 7h15m including ~25 minute lunch stop on Grizzly plus numerous photo stops along the way. The wildflowers on the final approach to Grizzly Peak are epic right now. The trail is in great shape (other then quite a few blowdowns, more numerous past Lake Janus, all easily negotiated) and it is snow-free all the way to Grizzly. The views really start around 4.25 miles in (and then don't really stop all the way to Grizzly and beyond), but the hike to Lake Janus and the mile or so beyond it are nice forest walking, with mostly easy (soft biomass) tread in great shape - and on an 85F+ day, the shade of the trees is quite welcome. The first (and last) mile between Smith Brook to Union Gap is a quick 650feet of elevation gain (and loss on return), but the trail crews have done a fantastic job here, so the descent back to the trailhead is easy on the feet. The only real downside currently is the bugs. It's the Nason Ridge area, and it's August, so there are mosquitos - a lot of mosquitos. You will want mosquito repellent when you step out of the car at Smith Brook, and you will want to re-apply during the hike. I used Natrapel, once at the trailhead and then re-applied copiously at Grizzly Peak, and emerged mostly unscathed.