Smithbrook, Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak — Saturday, Sep. 6, 2003

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

This seven-mile round tripper ended up being a great dayhike alternative to a thwarted trip to Rock Mtn via Snowy Creek (see other report). The weather was perfect for hiking, and the trail had a very gentle grade and new culverts - although it was obviously very well used by horses and very dusty in sections. Best of all, the huckleberries and blueberries were huge, ripe, juicy and plentiful. The biggest and most plentiful crop I've ever seen on a hike. We spent about two hours with our faces in the bushes and came out purple. Plus we grabbed enough extra for a lot of pancakes. No bugs hassled us, although there were a few yellowjackets at the trailhead. The lake was pretty, ringed with mature trees with glimpses of high meadows above. It had a couple great campsites and a separate stock camp. Near the lake, a gazillion tiny little frogs (about 1/2 to 3/4 inches long) were hopping across the trail. We had to watch every step to make sure we didn't squish any. And I swear we saw a leech in the lake - yeech! along with some tadpoles that were easily five times the size of the frogs we saw out of water. Maybe that's why the little frogs were running away?