I decided to go out with a bang for the last weekend of the Hike-a-thon. I Started at Stevens Pass 2:45 on Friday and took the PCT to Trap lake where I spent the night. The trail is 4.5 miles from Stevens to Lake Susan Jane and is in good condition, just some rocky sections. When heading up to Janus Lake the trail it a bit brushy to start then opens up. From there the way is easy going for the most part to Trout lake except for one steep downhill section before you get to Hope and Mig Lakes. I rolled into my camp at Trout around 7:15 pm. It was a clear night Friday so there were countless stars. It was 12.7 miles from Stevens down to Trap lake. I started Saturday off around 9 am and made my way up Trap Pass and encountered a large marmot hanging out on a rock, taking in the view so I decided to do the same for a sec. When at Trap Pass make sure you don't take the boot path towards the left. THIS IS NOT THE PCT. I've hiked that trail before and it will lead you to a wonderful little alpine lake called Thunder Mountain Lake but the trail is not maintained nor is it on the map. It will take you through large talus fields where you will have to keep an eye out for cairns. The way you want is straight ahead down the other side of the ridge. The trail from the pass down to the lakes is fairly easy going minus a couple rock fields you get to cross going from Surprise Lake to Glacier Lake (I stayed high on the PCT and didn't drop down to Surprise). Continuing on from Glacier I had the choice of either going up the old abandoned PCT to Surprise Gap or the new one to Pieper Pass. I decided to save Pieper Pass for the return trip and made my way up the gap. Although only being .7 miles to the top, it will take you a while. It is slow, steep, and partially exposed and to top it off, some of it is on loose scree. I made it to the gap, to a picture, caught my breath, and continued the climb up to Surprise Mountain. The trail for this will be directly to your right. You'll climb steeply for a short bit before leveling off, rounding a corner and then ascending probably another 400 ft in elevation but one at the top man, the views are crazy. I highly recommend this side trip. After a quick lunch I made my way back down to the gap and pressed on to Deception lakes 1.8 miles ahead. I encountered four older hikers who lake me spend the evening with them hanging out and even sharing some of their chocolate with me which made the trip all the better. Saturday was around 8 miles in length. I was up early Sunday for the return trip since I was doing the 19.3 mile trek back to Stevens in a day. I took Pieper Pass back and the views are amazing! You get constant support from Mt. Daniel to keep pushing on. Since it was about 7am when I was hiking through this section there was really low clouds and high clouds but that was it. You look out to a sea of white with dozens of peaks poking out here and there. I left Deception lakes around 6:50 and rolled into Stevens about 5 till 2 where I preceded to treat my self to a cheese burger and fries. Trip total 40 miles in under 48 total hours. ***Special note The berries are EVREYWHERE! The largest I could find were between Hope and Mig Lake. I was snacking the whole trip.

Perfect day for a hike! I started late so I was only able to make it to Lake Janus before I needed to turn around. The trail has been kept in very good condition with only two or so trees down, but they are very easy to cross. Once you are on the pacific crest portion of this hike there are many bushes with fresh huckleberries that are quite tasty! The lake was perfectly still with the exception to the occasional bug landing on it. At the lake the mosquitoes were not too bad... I personally thought the biting flies were more of an annoyance (and they hurt 10x worse than mosquitoes) but they left you alone once you got moving again. Happy hiking!!!

A few blowdowns across the trail leading to Lake Janus, but all are fairly easy to cross (over most, under a couple). Trail is in good condition, not too muddy & snow is gone. Easy to follow. The bugs at and near Lake Janus are horrid. We passed three separate groups that had forgone Janus when they got to the lake & were overcome by mosquitoes. We tried to tough it out at the lake ourselves, but had to cut our visit there short due to the bugs, also. Even with long sleeves, netting & bug spray they were just too much.

Smithbrook road to the trailhead is remarkably good thanks to recent grading. First 100 yards of trail is heavily eroded. Drainage failed. Needs major improvement including rock steps or crib steps. From the upper part of the switchbacks to the junction with Lake Valhalla are a series of big nasty messy blowdows. it will take a crew of sawyers to clear. Intermittent snow fields at top of pass, well trodden and easy to find your way. Observed beginning of trail to Lake Valhalla. Huge blowdown blocking the way. We took the trail to Janus Lake. Much nicer, a few blowdowns and water on trail. We lost a pair of boots at the Smithbrook trailhead. Please call 296-322-2436 if you find them. Reward offered.