Smithbrook, Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak — Friday, Aug. 16, 2002

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

TWO LAKES AND A PEAK Started the days trek from the new Smith Brook trail head which is below the big switchback on the Smith Brook Road east of Steven Pass. The new portion of the trail switchbacks up though the forest to connect with the old trail. At one of the switchbacks a 6 foot diameter and two smaller Fir trees had fallen across the trail. Hikers had made a bypass trail to get around it. Once up to the Union Gap trail junction with the PCT I headed southerly to Lake Valhalla. Only one little snow patch is left on the trail before getting to the saddle above the lake. After checking out the lake I decided to go up the climbers path to the summit of Peak 5747 that is north of the lake. The path takes off from the PCT at the saddle just east of the lake. It is steep and brushy in places, goes through a couple of small flat meadow areas on the way up to the summit ridge. The path follows the ridge north to the rocky summit. Nice spot to sit and eat lunch with great views out to Glacier Peak, the Monte Cristo Range, Sloan Peak and all the way to Mt. Baker. Down south to Daniel, Hinman, Stuart and to Rainier. Dow Lake is just below the peak and I could see a school of fish swimming around. One of the flat topped rocks on the summit had four 1/2 inch diameter holes drilled into it in a one foot square pattern. One of the holes had an American flag stuck into it. Probably left from the first American team of climbers who conquered Peak 5747 many years ago. After taking some photos and having lunch, I headed back down to Lake Vahalla. Then I hiked the PCT back to Union Gap and down to Lake Janus. A few blown down trees across this section of the trail. There were several groups of backpackers staying at the lake. One of them was going north to Rainy Pass and Highway 20. After a snack by the lake, hiked back up to Union Gap and back down to the trail head. Didn't see to many hikers during the day and only a few ""tourist"" hikers. I had Peak 5747 to myself on this day. The path to the summit does not show on my GT map or described in any hikers guide book. From the trailhead to the summit is about 2 hours. Lake Valhalla is the most scenic of the two lakes. And in the three times I went through Union Gap I thought I would have seen Gary Puckett at least once, but he never showed up.