West Fork Foss River and Lakes — Sunday, May. 11, 2014

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

Showed up in high hopes Sunday morning with a positive mind. the weather was supposed to be the best of the week but only cloudy at best, thank god the sun was out, it was beautiful! With the previous trip report from WTA, i suspected i would be able to make it to the top. Didn't get lost this time because i learned which way to take the fork in the road from last weekend. Got to the trail-head at about 8:15, got ready and was on the trail at about 8:30. there was only 1 other car in the lot when i got there. Started out along the trail, it was dry, warm and very green. The first part of this hike is very flat. a nice "Walk in the park", if you will. As i begin to slowly accent to trout lake for the first mile and a half along the river you can hear the constant rumble of booming Foss River the whole way. I could start to see sunlight reflecting onto the ridge line in from of me. Once Crossing over the river on a well constructed bridge and over/under and across some large blow downs i reach Trout lake. With the sun shining down on the blue/green clean water, it was amazing. i stopped to take pictures for a few minutes and continued on with high hopes of reaching the upper lakes. Continuing on snow patches start to appear and up the switchbacks i go. Passing awesome orange fungus on the steps up and a GIANT, stunning waterfall on the left. the snow is getting deeper and deeper and before i know it there's several feet, i put my crampons on and starting climbing. having to jump down onto a slippery bridge and hoist myself up the other side (4-5 foot wall of snow), i pushed onward. up and up i continue until it looks like I'm only following one set of tracks. eventually, as i can see the top of the ridge line about 100 yards away, the tracks stop. Not knowing the area previously and not that familiar with avalanche type hazards i decided to turn around :( stopped on the way back to drink a beer and have lunch, all in all it was still a gorgeous hikes and my favorite ive done so far this spring! i will be back again when i can reach the upper lakes. -no bugs -a few creek crossings (waterproof boots) -if you plan to reach the upper lakes bring traction devices and know your way around the trail - snow should b