It was a gorgeous, blue sky day wedged between a rainy week. We decided to squeeze a hike in. Our intent was to hike Minotaur Lake, but the gravel road (FS 6700) had a little more snow covering than we thought. Not being too familiar with the area, and not having snow tires/chains, we decided to not continue the extra 4 miles to the Minotaur Lake trailhead, and instead went back to the Smithbrook trailhead that we had noticed on our drive up.
The parking lot was pretty empty when we arrived around 10am, and the road to that point was very easily passable.
The trail had a 3-inch snow covering but was very easy to follow and straightforward. We hiked up and reached the intersection with the PCT at around 1.35 miles.
We chose to extend the hike by going right at that intersection, but I think we should have gone left...
Going right took us down into a small valley, past one clearing with a stream, a rockfield, but not much else...mostly just a trail amongst the trees. We reached an arbitrary point, then decided to turn back around and head back.
Even without reaching any specific destination, it was a gorgeous hike in the snow with blue skies and sun. The snow in the trees was melting and dripping down around us, giving the whole area a really cool feeling.
Our total hike took about 2 hours, with 1,140ft of elevation gain, and 4.7 miles. It was a simple, but really enjoyable hike to just check out the snow.
When we got back to the car around 1pm, the parking lot had surprisingly filled just about all the way up.
Comments
Seattle_Wayne on Smithbrook
I’m not sure if you are familiar with the area but at the junction you can turn left, (which you did) and that will take you to Lake Valhalla. There is also Mount McCausland on the left just before you reach the aforementioned lake.
Turning right at the junction will take you to Janus Lake and beyond that, on the same trail is Grizzly Peak.
Of course, being on the PCT both N and S will take you on an endless mile hike as well, far beyond these destinations I’ve mentioned. Glad you enjoyed yourself.
Posted by:
Seattle_Wayne on Nov 09, 2023 03:56 PM
qlouie on Smithbrook
Oh that's great to know! I wasn't familiar with the area so awesome to know what's in either direction.
I was actually mistaken in the report (now edited), and we went right, not left -- next time we'll have to go left though!
Posted by:
qlouie on Nov 10, 2023 11:05 AM