I did some car camping near Mission Ridge and in the morning, ventured up to the end to the road as I had not been here before. Spying a trailhead near the parking lot gate, I realized I was at Clara and Marion Lakes.  I knew the trail was short and I had a map, so off I went.

I knew this is better known as a larch hike but the wildflowers were just right!  The trillium and glacier lilies were everywhere!  There were even a few balsam root.

Patches of snow on the trail started at about 5,200 feet and continued off and on until Clara Lake but were not an issue.  I arrived at the outlet for Clara and could hear a family camping in the trees on the right.

I knew that Marion carried around to the left so I walked up and around the lake then turned left and up away from the lake.  Snow mostly obscured the trail at first but then was spotty. 

Just before Marion there were two trees across the trail, one was easy to step over but limbs on the second was causing most to walk around on neighboring blueberry.  

Marion Lake presented itself at 5,520 feet and 1.5 miles up from the trailhead.  I walked past the spur down to the "island" and around where there was a view of what I think was Mission Peak.  Snow still lingered on the slope and I was surprised by all the slate and piles of volcanic rock. I had the lake to myself for awhile.

I scrambled around a bit past Marion until I heard the voices (hoops and hollers) of a group crossing over to the island and then I began my trip down.  Somehow leaving Marion I ended up on another trail that turned and followed more closely to the creek leaving Marion.  It was an actual path but was overgrown in spots, I could I was going to intersect the main trail eventually so I did not turn around. It brought me out just down from the stream crossing before Clara on an unmarked junction.  It was about 3.2 miles round trip and a little over 2 hours.

Hiked to Clara Lake with a small group. Ran into snow, especially closer to the lake. We had a hard time finding the trail to Marion Lake and ended up just enjoying Clara.

Trail is in good condition. there is snow right from start and it is icy in beginning and more packed snow later in the trail. There are no fall color on the trail probably because it is covered in snow but there were larch needles all around. There was lots of poop everywhere on trail in the beginning 100m. You need to watch your step.

Snow is much deeper from Clara to Marion lakes. Both lakes are solid frozen. Saw someone running on the lake. It was mostly overcast but there were some patches of sun and blue skies. gaiters and poles were very useful.my friend did not have gaiters and he also did fine but he had to switch between snowshoes and traction. gaiters were very useful between Clara and marion and specially marion lake. there were spots where snow was 2 feet deep. Broke some fresh snow on trail today after a long time.

Went larch hunting, looking for the last of the larches before the needles drop.Arrived about 2 pm, but was able to find a spot in the parking lot without difficulty. It was lightly snowing as I arrived and this continued all the way up to the lakes which are frozen and snow covered. As others have mentioned water level at Marion was very low. The island between made it look like 2 ponds.  Clara is bigger and the larches really framed it beautifully.  Larches all around! Started seeing them on the drive up to Mission Ridge from Wenatchee and there were lots all along the trail. Lots of beautiful color left. By the time I left the lakes, it was snowing much more heavily. Since the ground underneath was frozen there was a layer of ice under the snow. I didn’t want to put on traction but eventually I had to as the steepness of the trail along with the ice underneath made it quite challenging. I didn’t want to risk a fall, especially since it was after dark and I was by myself so I reluctantly put on spikes. Did the last bit by headlamp. Any day hiking is a win!

A beautiful blue sky morning. Temps in the upper 30's, low 40's. Trail was easily navigable (in Chacos); a light dusting of snow in shady areas, some slick mud on the steeper pitches. Larches were still showy! Some rose hips still to be snacked on! Great time for this hike!