Lake Valhalla, Mount McCausland — Friday, Sep. 29, 2023

The Lake Valhalla Trail is one of the many rites of autumn for hiking. This year at this time it looks like the color is at its height. The blueberries are gone but in their aftermath, we have the brilliant reds, oranges and yellow of their leaves. One of the most vivid sections of the trail is the saddle on the PCT at the Mount McCausland junction.

We began at the Smithbrook trailhead and headed to Lake Valhalla first. We were surprised that we mostly had the little beach to ourselves for a good half hour. By about 1pm it started getting a bit crowded so we headed up to the saddle above the lake and took the Mount McCausland trail. We went up about two thirds of the way to where the trees give way to a carpet of color in the foreground with Lichtenberg and Lake Valhalla behind it. 

The trail is in good condition but there are the occasional muddy spots and the usual roots and rocks. There was frost along the trail and just one short section of ice as we passed through the trees before the saddle. The bugs are are no longer active as well as the troublesome bees at Union Gap, but that could change if the temperature rises again.

Smithbrook road (FR-6700) is in very good condition and any vehicle can make it through.