Slightly hazy, but otherwise a clear day, and once again stunningly warm for the time of year. I stripped back down to a T-shirt for the uphill slog. The snow didn't really start until the open section 10-15 minutes before the saddle. There were a couple of short patches through the switchbacks. At the lake itself, the snow was about 4-5"" deep, but well compacted on the trail and not really slippery. As usual, the main trouble was not the snow, but the sheet ice where small creeks crossed the trail. Unlike the report from Feb 4th after the rain, all creeks could be easily crossed with no hassle and my feet stayed dry. There are a couple of blow-downs - one is very easily crossed before the junction with the Bridal Veil Falls trail. One higher up has a choice of over by the edge of a drop, or under for kids or adults willing to crawl. Only two other cars there when I arrived, and a different two when I left, but most people seemed to be going to Bridal Veil Falls and not to the lake. It was basically a solitary hike, and very beautiful with the weather and the snow.

Lake Serene was quite challenging today due to the rainfall and then snowfall and then hailstorm. The trail was one huge waterfest and more like a constant creek. I'd decided to get out before the snow level dropped and so I tried to be ""comfortably"" wet. There is no such thing as waterproof as my waterproof clothes became quite weighty, but I was determined to reach the lake. It became useless to look for rocks to step on to cross the creeks and I soon discovered my boots were going to be soaked no matter what I did, so I just plowed through them as quickly as possible. The falls were spectacular and I did pause briefly to enjoy the moment. After crossing the main bridge, I started heading up to the lake where the rain became heavy snow. By the time I got to the lake, the snow was blanketing everything and the rocks became just slippery enough to make for interesting footing issues. Despite all this, I was glad I made it and that the snow coming down would be great for the mountains which had been sadly barren. Plus I got to enjoy a first snow again this winter which is always a bonus! A huge thank you goes out to my faithful dog, Sebastian who acts like a guide dog whenever I need him to and seems to know exactly how to help me. He wasn't trained for these things so I'm very fortunate! Happy Hiking :0)

Noticed there weren't any fresh reports for Lake Serene, so I thought I'd check it out. Sprinkles around Woodinville gave out in Sultan and the day was actually pretty nice. The trail is free of snow to the lake, which is covered in ice (the pack below the Lunch Rock survived a couple direct hits from cobble-sized rocks). Ran into 6 people on the way there, 42 or so on the way back down. I've hiked to Serene a lot and must say the snowpack under Index's cliffs is pathetic; could see blue ice on the far avalanche cone. Oh, yeah:: believe it or not, I killed a mosquito.

The trail is in good shape and snow free all the way to the lake. There is ice on the lake, but it seems to be melting out.

Very cold! I falsely assumed that there would be sunshine at the Lake, but I was in the shade all day. Only snow on the trail is the last quarter mile. A handful of others here today. Trail is in great shape. Boardwalks and wooden stairs are a bit slick. Any muddy spots are, of course, frozen. Trail seemed steeper today, but I think that had something to do with the consumption of many Christmas cookies, and having little exercise the past few weeks.