Since it's been a winter of skiing, we decided to take a break from the slopes and go for a snowshoe this weekend. Highway 2 was in great shape from the west--just bare and wet--all the way to the Stevens Pass Nordic Center parking lot. The lot was mostly empty when we arrived at 9:30, but nearly full when we returned from our adventure in the woods. Seems like most folks were cross country skiing or using other snowshoe trails since we didn't see throngs of people along the trail to or from the lake.
We seem to have been some of the first snowshoe users out on the trail today, and maybe even in the past few days, since the snow was not super compact and the only real tracks were from skiers who had skinned up before us. It was a bit slow going as we sunk into the snow on the ascent; heading down later was easier as other snowshoe traffic helped compact the surface a bit.
This trail is 99% straightforward and pretty well-signed aside from one sign (second photo) that points left when you emerge from the trees under the power lines. We found the best route upon emerging from the lower wooded section to be heading right/uphill, staying at the edge of the groomed road for a short distance up to the base of the power line tower. The snowshoe trail clearly then heads up/left under the power lines. After tackling this deep snow under the crackling power lines, you'll walk another very short distance (maybe 30 feet or so) on groomed surface before regaining the obvious snowshoe trail into the woods on your left. This is the last time you'll see a blue backcountry sign regarding Lanham Lake, but the trail remains obvious and you'll see periodic orange/yellow ribbons on trees to confirm that you're headed the right way.
Two other minor cautions that you may or may not encounter as conditions in the mountains change pretty quickly:
1) about 2/3 of the way to the lake there's a spot on the trail that goes over a narrow stream bed if you choose to go straight. The snow bridge over this section is narrow and the fall to either side would put you in a pretty deep hole. Best to take the very slight detour around to the right, passing under a couple trees. The roundabout way wasn't well-trodden early this morning, but it seems like most folks coming up after us had figured it out by the time we were on our way back down.
2) shortly after the aforementioned easily avoidable obstacle, the trail dips down past a snow-covered fallen tree. I sank in to the snow up to my waist here and it was a wee bit of a challenge to climb back out given the softness and depth of the snow all around me. Probably something that won't be too much of an issue for others as more traffic compacts the snow on the trail, just something to be mindful of. I wasn't the only victim of this part of the trail. :)
Other than that, this was a fun trail that made good use of the heel lift on my snowshoes, and felt like a decent workout despite the short distance to the lake. Poles are very helpful if you have a pair; a few sections of this trail are pretty steep, particularly some short switchbacks near the lake. The lake is small but pretty, and would surely be quite lovely on a sunny rather than an overcast day. That said, since this trail doesn't have any sweeping views it's a pretty good choice for a cloudy day. Added bonus for easy, free access and indoor plumbing at the Cascade Depot.
Happy outdoorsing!
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