Started my hike up Forest Road 6700 at Smithbrook Trailhead #1590 heading up to The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). At the top of the ridge where you meet the PCT please remember to turn left to Lake Vahalla and right to go downhill to Lake Janus. After hiking almost all the way to Lake Janus which was my destination I walked right into a black bear who definitely saw me also but didn't make any moves toward me so I backed around the corner to see see if the bear would leave the trail. It was just sitting there for a few minutes then it started walking up the trail toward me so I chose to turnaround and walk back up the trail. After about two miles I meet up with a young lady hiking down the trail and just let her know about the bear. She seemed a little bit unsure of herself but after talking with her for a little while I realized she had taken the wrong turn off at the top of the ridge because she was wanting to go to Lake Vahalla. After explaining this to her I think she felt relieved that she could turnaround and go back to the top of the ridge and out to Vahalla without worrying about whether she might encounter the bear. As I was reaching the top of the ridge I saw her leaving with a group of people out to Lake Vahalla.

I guess everything you experience in life has a reason and maybe the bear was the reason for me to turnaround and make contact with her and send her in the right direction. I hiked back down to the trail head and letting people know going up about the bear if they were heading out to Lake Janus. I will get back out to Lake Janus a different day. I then headed to an alternate trail at Hidden Lake and Lake Wenatchee State Park to check them out since I had already hiked most of the rest of the trails along Highway 2. Any day out on a hike is nice even if you have to change your plans a little.  

Not a lot of entries for this hike as most people turn left for Lake Valhalla when they reach the PCT at Union Gap, but today we were not among them.  From the junction of the trail leaving the Smith-Brook trail-head and the PCT we turned right or north and almost immediately began descending.  The trail is a fairly gentle affair and after views out across the valley from the talus slopes it traverses we eventually reached a low point crossing a creek destined for Rapid River.  After that it was only a short distance to Lake Janus.

This is a good lunch spot as the lake is set in a wide meadow area with plenty of camp sites, so you can pick a sunny spot overlooking the meadows or a shady spot overlooking the water.  We opted for sun and enjoyed peaceful views and warm temperatures on this late October day - what a treat.  Fall colors are almost gone but tawny grasses were still shining in the sun's rays.

Before returning we hiked a few paces more to the lake outlet which has some nice views.  Plus there are some mesmerizing reflecting pools on your left as you leave the lake area.  This hike is so mellow that even the after-lunch climb back out did not seem overly strenuous and we were soon back at the junction.  Very little in the way of animal life except a large family of squirrels who have a home in an old growth tree near the trail head.

A nice fall day in the mountains, no crowds and warm sun, get it while you can.

Easy drive on the FS road #6700. Potholes are easy to dodge. Limited parking in lot. Parking lot was full and had to park on the road. Took the Smithbrook trail to the PCT. Turn right at the Union Gap and head north on the PCT. Easy hike to Lake Janus and less crowded than other surrounding lakes. Trail was maintained and had only roots and small rocks to walk around. Beautiful lake surrounded by evergreens. Designated camp sites at the lake. Beautiful day for a hike!

Absolutely great weather the past week, and still great on Saturday. The parking was already considerably along the side of the road by 10am. 

Not a challenging climb at all. Of course it has a gradual ascent from the trailhead, but definitely manageable by most standards. There are some paths that lead away from the trail, but are clearly 'blocked off' by branches. 

At the junction with the PCT, keep right and descend down a ways along the trail. After the forest opens up to views to the West there is a slight ascent up to a creek. In just a few more minutes of walking you end up getting to the lake. Took about 1:20 to get to the lake.

There are plenty of blueberry bushes at the lake, and if you look carefully you can still find some on the bushes. Plenty of camping spots near the lake.

Trip back to the trailhead took about the same amount of time.

People: plenty up to the intersection with the PCT, 50/50 through-hikers/day-hikers on path to Janus (maybe a dozen people total)

Bugs: None

Animals: plenty of squirrels, chipmunks, frogs

Condition: road leading in has some avoidable big dips, trail is in good condition. Open section seems like it was weed-whacked recently

You schedule a work party and it doesn't matter the weather!

I took a very small work party up Smithbrook and north on the PCT towards Janus and that nasty, brushy scree field about 3 miles in that every year I have to wade through to get to my adopted section of the PCT Janus to Pear.

The trail was quite wet and Smithbrook had a few pools despite the great work my friend Dave did this summer with a few other work parties. Popular trails are a never ending battle.

We worked for several hours until we were soaked and had cheered on quite a few of the last of the thru-hikers headed to Canada.  Totally worth it!  Maybe next year I'll get a crew in to fix the eroding tread...