Lake Valhalla — Wednesday, Sep. 7, 2022

Today we three 70 year olds and a 9 year old dog arrived at the Smithbrook trail head about 10:30, to a nearly full parking lot. We passed many PCT through hikers of all age groups who had spent the last 5 months on the trail, very inspiring!  Shoutout to those whose trail names we thought to ask for: Aloha, Red Pen, Cold Stone, Grandpa, Detour. There were still a few blueberries to be had along the trail, which is rougher in spots than I recalled, so trekking poles were a big help.  Most of the trail is shady with open forest.  At about 1.5 miles in, there was one negative part of the hike: it appeared that some very unthinking folks had decided a spot right next to trail was a good latrine…really people?   Once we got to the lake our dog made a beeline for the water.  She is water obsessed so had to be tricked into leaving.  Lots of folks at the lake enjoying the sun and fantastic views, a bit nippy when the wind picked up at times, but a very good place for lunch.  On our way out we encountered a long straggling string of middle schoolers from Seattle (maybe because school was out due to teachers strike?) escorted by a few teachers, on their way to the lake.  The parking lot was full with overflow on the road when we returned around 2:30.  It was a great day, highly recommended hike!