Lake Serene April 15th 2007

Lake Serene

April 15th 2007

Every year I usually make Lake Serene my first outing of the season. I do this to test my physical condition and see what I need to do get my butt in gear. I also lugged up a 20+ lb pack and trusty ice axe for the final slog to the lake. Well I discovered that need to hit the stair stepper a few more days a week. Anyway on to the report. The first 2 miles of the trail is muddy but in really good shape. The amount of water coming off of the falls was pretty spectacular. The view from the bridge is good, however nothing beats the view when the trail hugs the falls. I enjoyed admiring the falls while the mist cool me off. Now begins the switchback stairs.
There are a lot of trees down on the ascent.. Most of the blowdowns are relatively easy to get around. There is a particular nasty tree that crosses the upper portion of the switchbacks that dissects the trail in an "X" like pattern. I couldn't get over it with my pack on. With my pack off it was a pretty strenuous event but I made it over none-the-less (Got pretty dirty in the process). Be carefull when climbing over the tree. The area that gives you the least amount of elevation to get over it is by a tree and the ground is slippery and there are roots. Hand holds are bark on the standing tree and bark on the felled tree. The log is much easier getting over on the way down.
There is really nothing to report until the final boardwalk portion. The snow begins in earnest and there is some blowdowns on the boardwalk which could make the traverse interesting. One in particular has branches to hold onto. The snow is firm due to constant traffic but I did post hole a few times. I was also very happy to have my ice axe with me just incase I slipped.
At the lake there is anywhere from 2 - 6 feet of snow. Found a bench to sit on right before the ascent to the lunch rock. Thundering avalanches were occuring every 2-5 minutes and is not an experience to be missed. One brave (crazy) soul donned his snowshoes and went out on to the lake (Just a note.. a good 5-10 feet of the shoreline has no ice). Most of the mountain was obscured by clouds, but had a good view of the Norweigan Buttress. Encountered about 40 people during the entire trip. Good day, but very tiring. Going to have to spend more time on the stair stepper.

2 hrs up, an hour at the lake, and took 1 hr 15 minutes to get down.

Getting There

From Seattle go northbound on I-5 to Everett. From I-5 merge onto US-2 E via exit number 194 toward SNOHOMISH/WENATCHEE. Drive east through Monroe and continue eight miles east of Gold Bar to Mount Index Road on your right at milepost 35 (It's the next road after FS Rd 62).
From Bellevue go northbound on I-405 then merge onto WA-522 E via exit number 23 toward MONROE/WENATCHEE. The road then joins U.S. 2 at Monroe. At the junction turn left onto U.S. 2. See above for directions after Monroe.

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.

Pictures From The Trip