"We should go tomorrow," my hiking buddy Marin suggested, the day before our hike. It was a trip we had enjoyed the year before and had been intending to repeat. But I had noted recent Valhalla trip reports referring to hordes of mosquitoes and flies. "Perhaps this is not the best time," I suggested. But Marin was reassuring, "It won't be a problem, tomorrow will be a good day." As so often, her intuition was right on. Our early morning drive took us four miles beyond Stevens Pass, left on Smithbrook Road, and three bumpy miles to the trailhead. There were a few mozzies, but not a horde, and definitely fewer than last year. We applied some deet, and they were not a major problem. It helped that there was a breeze, and the air seemed cool. We switchbacked a mile up to Union Gap to connect with the PCT. A woodpecker tapped out a loud greeting as we headed south toward Lake Valhalla, and along the way several grouse appeared. We enjoyed the patches of perfumey lupine in the bright sun. Trail conditions were excellent: a bit moist but without significant mud, and even an occasional patch of hard snow for us to crunch our boots on. We soon topped the pass and headed down, appreciating the expanding views of Lake Valhalla below. A few intermittent wisps of cloud flowed around the peak of Lichtenberg Mountain, exposing it periodically. It was 9:30 AM, quiet at the lake, and we seemed to have it all to ourselves. We spent some time on the lunch rock and on the sandy beach, enjoying the dramatic views across the lake, and watching the ripples on the water. We noted a few wildflowers: marsh marigold and shooting star, valerian, purple and white heather, columbine, and the first of the cinquefoils. Again, there were a few mozzies, but far fewer than we recalled last year. And flies were not a problem at all. Soon it was time to continue back toward Lake Janus. Other hikers were beginning to arrive at Valhalla, and as we backtracked to Union Gap we encountered additional hikers along the way. We headed north on the PCT, at first downhill, then across a somewhat overgrown boulder field, then uphill, followed by a pretty stream crossing. Eventually there were hints of Lake Janus through the trees. Janus and Valhalla are very different. While Valhalla is in a stony, dramatic setting, Janus is larger and surrounded with rounded forested mountains. The shoreline is a very bright green and the overall visual effect is quite relaxing. We spent some time at Janus. There were a few other folks around, fishers and campers, but the lakeshore did not feel crowded. Our trek back to Union Gap seemed much warmer, and it is more uphill than down. The final drop down to the Smithbrook trailhead went quickly. The warm parking lot has no shade, so we changed out of our hiking boots and exited quickly. We stopped in Gold Bar for an early dinner at La Hacienda. The restaurant has moved a block east since last year, but remains a good place for a Mexican themed meal.

I picked a perfect day. I had the trail to myself and Lake Janus to myself. Encounterd 1 other person on my return. Lots of blow downs-maybe 8 or 9. Only 1 required that I stoop under, the rest I could step on or over. One last large snow patch just before the junction, no problem following trail. The shore along Lake Janus is pretty soggy still, but found a couple of rocks near the shore to have my lunch and relax.

We chose this hike based on the trip report from last weekend. I so appreciate these trip reports! We left Bellevue @ 830 and were hiking by 1020. The directions are clear and easy to follow. TH is 2.7 miles from Hwy 2, not 3.2 as the trail guide states, and is signed "Smith Brook Trail". Four cars at the start, with three groups getting ready to hit the trail. We skedaddled to get ahead of the family with small kids and the three guys with fishing tackle. The trail up to the intersection of PCT 2000 climbed steadily with lots of switchbacks. Some bugs too, so we stopped to apply our repellant. No snow on the trail until just before the intersection, and then the way finding got tough. Recent rains washed away all the boot prints on the snow. We pulled over to let the "chatty Charlies" pass mark the way for us. Once we got to the PCT 2000 and turned right toward Lake Janus, we encountered more snow patches. Lots more than I expected based on last week's trip report. The way down to Lake Janus was gradual, with several blowdowns that are easy to get over or under. Several water patches and muddy spots in between long stretches of great trail. Less than 1/2 mile or so from the lake, there is a great overlook to the valley with nice rocks to sit on. We paused there, let a lone hiker pass on by, and enjoyed the view. On to the lake, we came upon a few small snow patches, then took a side trail (unmarked) toward the shore. We came upon the sign for the "Stock Camp" and picked our way through snow to get to the shore. And this was so worth it! Gorgeous lake, that Scout ran in and out of for 30 minutes while we watched an osprey fly in out out of the trees and over our heads. The "chatty Charlies" had hiked up the south lake shore and were fishing off in the distance. The family arrived 15 minutes after we did and scouted for a good campsite. The way back was quick, until Page got too far behind Bill to see where to go in the snow field at the trail intersection. After a few minutes and radio calls, she figured it out (seeing a large log that had been cut to allow the trail to pass thru it) and eventually got back on the trail. Pay attention if you go soon after this trip report! You may want to add some markers along the snow. We saw a few deer/elk prints in the mud and heard lots of song birds. While not abundant with wildflowers, there were several: glacier lily, blue bells, bleeding hearts, trillium, bunch berry, lupine to name a few. Total hike and rest time: 4 hours 40 minutes includes 30 minutes at the lake.

This was not my first hike to this area but was only my 3rd snowshoe outing. I didnt have any issue with distance or weight even though i realy over pack on trips like this were im out in a remote area by myself. That being said, In the future I will leave this for a summer hike. The views were obscured by thick trees for most of the trip, and if not for a gps i would have had no idea were the trail was due to the large amount of snow,(in the valley aproaching Janus Lake) and not another set of tracks anywere past smithbrook trail. Also i didnt feel safe with all the sink holes (wells) around so many trees and large boulders hidden under the snow. There were a number of water crossings (if you could call them that) As I was walking along I would come to a area were water running could be heard then there would be a deep hole were the snow had melted or fell threw down to the little stream underneath, this left me wondering how much area i was covering that just had not fell threw yet. There were around 10 times i came to areas were there were signs of this. In some of these spots the fall would be over 6ft and if you didnt break your ankle good luck crawling out without a helping hand. The last problem I encountered on this hike was crossing the rock fields that looked very prone to avalanche danger. Any way that was my take on this hike for this time of year. keep in mind im a noob when it comes to snowshoeing :) I turned back .5 miles before lake janus and retraced my steps to hwy 2 for a total of 11 miles rnd trip and 1500 ft elev. gain to saddle then 800 down into the valley and back.

I liked the Lake Valhalla trail, so decided to return and take the companion trail to Lake Janus. While certainly a nice lake, Lake Janus lacks the dramatic surroundings of Lake Valhalla and I continued on to the viewpoint 1.5 miles further down the trail. I almost turned around at Janus since, as I lunched along the shore, it began to rain. It was coming down hard enough to convince me that it was a real rainstorm but, fortunately, it began to clear up a few minutes later and I moved on. Sorry to say it, hikers, but summer is over. The trail after Janus deteriorates somewhat, becoming a bit brushy at times and presenting numerous blowdowns, some big enough to test your gymnastic skills, but mostly stepovers. For the most part it's in good shape. The viewpoint lived up to expectations. The skyline would be dominated by nearby Glacier Peak on a sunny day, but this day it was hiding in the clouds. The great view of Poet Ridge (a nickname, really, it's properly part of Wenatchee Ridge) compensated amply. I've never seen them this close and was duly impressed. As the sky grew ever darker I decided to skip Glasses Lake (0.5 miles further on) and headed back. I met quite a few PCT through-hikers along the way, most coming from the terminus in Mexico and headed for the Canadian border. Chatting with some of them, I could see the "last mile lust" in their eyes as they approached the end of an epic journey. I imagine their dreams were all about sizzling hot steaks (or anything not freeze-dried) at this point! I had forgotten about the 700' previously lost between Union Gap and Lake Janus, but my legs reminded me in no uncertain terms on the way back; those vertical feet seemed bigger than before. As I drove back through Stevens Pass the skies opened, as they say, and it was pouring rain at the summit. At least it wasn't snow. Logistics: the road in is still quite driveable but is beginning to show the effects of recent rains. Watch out for potholes and washboarding. Distance to viewpoint and back: 11.6 miles.