I was in a real grumpy mood this Sunday morning. My mood was also making Carri somewhat grumpy too. I wasn't really in the right frame of mind to be social and mingle with people. I really wanted to be left alone. So Carri got fed up with my attitude and told me to not go with them (kids and her) to Max's 4th birthday party (Helana's friend). I took her suggestion literally and got my hiking gear ready. Where should I go? There is only one place for me today and that's Lake Serene. Lake Serene is always a great way to kick off the hiking season, it's just so beautiful and the lake area is one of my favorite places to visit. It's also a great hike to test how fit you are. Let's see if my gym regiment over the past two weeks has paid off.

I encountered probably 16 people on the trail the whole day, which is really not that many people for this popular trail. I got on the trail around 11:30am and quickly made my way to the mile marker where the trail decends down to the bridle falls, lake serene junction. Here I was assaulted by a torrential down pour of hail that lasted until I started the granite switchbacks. The hail then changed to a light snow flurry, which remained with me the rest of the hike. No real views of the surrounding peaks today. It also became obvious that I wouldn't be able to feast my eyes on the awe inspiring buttresses of Mt. Index either. I was happy to see that the huge tree blocking the trail at the final approach to the lake has been taken care of by the WTA. Last May I remember thinking that I would have had a hard time negotiating my daughter over it. Once I got to the lake, the lack of winter becomes very apparent. Last Febuary when I was up here there was 4-5 feet of snow at the lake basin, this time there's only a dismal 3-4 inches (See last years Report). Now at the lake I'm starting to get hungry, where should I eat? Only one place.. Lunch rock. I made my way over to the snow covered rock slab and ate my lunch. The clouds started to clear allowing me to get some needed views of the cliffs of Mt. Index. Snapped some pictures and then got on my merry way down.

Overall the hike improved my mood.. Now I gotta get home and ready myself to take Carri out for Valentine's dinner at Anthony's! I've got some serious kissing up to do.

1 hr 35 minutes up and took 1 hr down.

Stay right on the Mount Index Road to get to the trailhead. There is a parking area and facilities (honey bucket style) included. Northwest Forest Pass is need to park there. Be prepared for a long wait to get back onto U.S. 2 when departing the trailhead. This is especially true for Sunday afternoons.