Lake Serene — Friday, Feb. 23, 2001

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

Sure do recommend Lake Serene right now. Trail is in better shape than one could hope for. A couple little washouts on the lower trail are easy to get through. Snow is not encountered until 2/3 the way up the switchbacks from the falls to the lake. At first the snow is only sporadic and then it finally sticks about 1/2 mile from lakeside, about 3 feet deep at the lake. Index's north wall is awesome with presence, with mini-avalanches rolling down in the early afternoon before the sun set behind it. At leisure speed it took us 2-1/2 hours up and 2 hours down. 7.2 miles roundtrip with 2000 feet of gain in and 200 feet out. Only saw 10 people on the trail above the falls on a weekend. Do this hike now! Footnote: the toilet at the lake is incredibly installed in plain view of the trail - so hikers have front row seats... unfortunately for the lake.