Smithbrook, Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak — Saturday, Jun. 10, 2006

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

We thought we'd try an early season trip into Lake Janus on the PCT to get a jump-start on the summer. It turns out summer is still a few weeks away. The SmithBrook road is only drivable about 1/2 mile off of US 2 before sections of deep snow make vehicular travel poorly advised. There are a few large blowdowns to clear as well. Some sections of the road are dry but about half is still snow covered. There's still a solid 3 feet at the summer trailhead leading up to Union Gap and the PCT junction. We were able to follow bits and pieces of the trail up to the Gap, but past there route-finding was more difficult and progress slow. The prospect of puzzle-piecing for another 2 1/2 miles to the lake was not appealing, so we camped in the snow field below Union Gap. Clouds blew in and out but it cleared by evening to allow the full moon to illuminate the snowy scene. Homeward bound was much easier and we enjoyed a late breakfast at the Mt. Index Cafe. (fair warning: the ""skillet"" breakfast is huge.) Summer is at least a month away in the high country.