Lake Valhalla, Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak — Thursday, Jul. 5, 2007

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

Started our hike at Stephen's Pass parking on the north side by the power station/ gravel pile. Pleasant, sunny walk the first couple miles with little elevation change and a few bugs. After the first hour to hour and a half hiking encountered ~6 < 1 foot diam. blow down trees on trail and 2 > 1 foot which were easy enough for this 5'7"" hiker to get over. Additionally, the foot log over a stream is broken and tipped necessitating the use of rocks to cross over. Continuing on hubby and I encountered many snow patches with melting going on underneath and risk for post-holing. At about 5 mi. into the hike, Lake Valhalla came into view on the right and the trail completely disappeared in snow. We found our way to the Lake and checked out three of the campsites which all had a fair amount of water by them and lots of bugs. Don't often eat in our tent but ended up in there for some relief. Next morning with some difficulty found the PCT and headed further north to ""Union Gap"" at 1.8 mi. and then at 4 mi. Lake Janus. Trail had some snow patches . Bugs seemed even worse at Lake Janus so turned around to try to find a better lunch spot. Returned to Lake Valhalla for another night then left EARLY the next morning again having great difficulty finding the PCT trail south due to all the snow. Saw > 20 day hikers who came in on Smith Brook Road and hiked .9 mi. to Union Gap and then went either north or south on PCT. Only one other overnighter each night at Valhalla. I would definitely do this hike again but probably would enjoy it in the fall.