Snow Lake
HIKE: Snow Lake
MILEAGE: 6.2 miles roundtrip
We only went to the lookout of the lake, not down to the lake, which would be 7.2 miles roundtrip according to WTA.ORG
ELEVATION GAIN: ~1400 feet
Again, total for going to the lake would be 1800 feet.
SEASON: Summer
PARKING: HUGE lot; always full (ha!)
We got to the TH (on a cloudy day) at 9am and it was already packed.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
This was a trail I've never been on, but have heard so much about. It was a good reminder that trails you always hear about...are always super crowded.
Prepare to pull to the side as you're coming down switchbacks to allow others to come up. (uphill has the right of way).
In this same vein, I ended up feeding The Squish while in the carrier, and when we stopped at the lake lookout point, because there weren't many convenient places to pull to the side to feed/change diapers.
It was cloudy for most of our trip, but even if it wasn't, there was decent sun coverage until the very end (switchbacks).
There are rocky sections (not as bad as Lake Ingalls, ha!) but foot placement (especially on the way down) is important if front-carrying.
MORE INFO: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/snow-lake-1
Note: There are more than one "snow lake" in WA.
08.17.2019
The Squish is 5 months old + a day (22 weeks)
Hike #11
It is such a pleasant treat when we get to go out hiking with The Squish's aunt!
Our first hike with her was here to Twin Falls.
We arrived at the TH at about 9am, and it was packed to the gills with people.
We were pretty surprised because it was cloudy/foggy, and not particularly warm.
There are bathrooms right across the trail (2), so I used the facilities then we set out on the trail.
The trail, which is marketed as being easy, doesn't feel easy in the beginning. Fret not, it levels out after a decent 'little' climb.
There are plenty of tiny stream crossings for pups to drink from on the way up. (or for.....the ferrets we saw. And the parrots. ;) )
We ended our hike at the saddle, where you can look out on to Snow Lake.
Not really desiring to make the climb back up after visiting the lake, we were content having lunch, hanging with some pikas, and turning around at this point.
Note: it is not advised, nor good outdoor practice, to feed the pikas.
It is another mile roundtrip, and 400 ft of elevation loss/gain to get to the lake.
The hike down was pleasant, and we chatted with several people as we let uphill hikers pass.
The switchbacks that lead to/from the saddle are narrow, and with such high traffic volumes, don't expect to be running up/down them.
All in all, a great family hike in the books!
MILEAGE: 6.2 miles roundtrip
We only went to the lookout of the lake, not down to the lake, which would be 7.2 miles roundtrip according to WTA.ORG
ELEVATION GAIN: ~1400 feet
Again, total for going to the lake would be 1800 feet.
SEASON: Summer
PARKING: HUGE lot; always full (ha!)
We got to the TH (on a cloudy day) at 9am and it was already packed.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
This was a trail I've never been on, but have heard so much about. It was a good reminder that trails you always hear about...are always super crowded.
Prepare to pull to the side as you're coming down switchbacks to allow others to come up. (uphill has the right of way).
In this same vein, I ended up feeding The Squish while in the carrier, and when we stopped at the lake lookout point, because there weren't many convenient places to pull to the side to feed/change diapers.
It was cloudy for most of our trip, but even if it wasn't, there was decent sun coverage until the very end (switchbacks).
There are rocky sections (not as bad as Lake Ingalls, ha!) but foot placement (especially on the way down) is important if front-carrying.
MORE INFO: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/snow-lake-1
Note: There are more than one "snow lake" in WA.
08.17.2019
The Squish is 5 months old + a day (22 weeks)
Hike #11
It is such a pleasant treat when we get to go out hiking with The Squish's aunt!
Our first hike with her was here to Twin Falls.
We arrived at the TH at about 9am, and it was packed to the gills with people.
We were pretty surprised because it was cloudy/foggy, and not particularly warm.
There are bathrooms right across the trail (2), so I used the facilities then we set out on the trail.
The trail, which is marketed as being easy, doesn't feel easy in the beginning. Fret not, it levels out after a decent 'little' climb.
There are plenty of tiny stream crossings for pups to drink from on the way up. (or for.....the ferrets we saw. And the parrots. ;) )
We ended our hike at the saddle, where you can look out on to Snow Lake.
Not really desiring to make the climb back up after visiting the lake, we were content having lunch, hanging with some pikas, and turning around at this point.
Note: it is not advised, nor good outdoor practice, to feed the pikas.
It is another mile roundtrip, and 400 ft of elevation loss/gain to get to the lake.
The hike down was pleasant, and we chatted with several people as we let uphill hikers pass.
The switchbacks that lead to/from the saddle are narrow, and with such high traffic volumes, don't expect to be running up/down them.
All in all, a great family hike in the books!
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| trailhead |
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| part of the initial climb |
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| one of several mini streams |
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| trail leveling out |
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| flat trail |
 |
| catching some winks |
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| rocky, foggy |
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| low clouds |
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| looking down on some switchbacks |
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| woke up! |
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| some more rocky sections of trail |
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| little ham |
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| pika! |
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| snow lake from the lookout |
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| family |
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| on our way down! |
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| heading down; lots of people |
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| parking lot in view! |
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