Snow Lake

November 12, 2016


The trail to Snow Lake is probably the most heavily trafficked trail into a wilderness area in the Pacific Northwest, seeing in excess of 25,000 hikers a year. The reason why is no mystery - with Chair Peak rising on one side and Roosevelt Peak on the other, it delivers spectacular alpine scenery just 3.5 miles (and a mere 1800 feet elevation) from Snoqualmie Summit. The sheer number of hikers is the number one reason why I have held off so long in going. Evie and I thought we'd take advantage of the weekend's wet forecast, thinking we would have the trail pretty much to ourselves. 


Our day started out uneventful enough - aside from the dogs not wanting to play nicely in the back seat. The morning dawned gray and dismal, as expected, but with only a threat of precipitation. Upon reaching the parking lot, I was surprised by the number of vehicles already present - sadly we wouldn't have the trail to ourselves as we'd hoped. Nevertheless, we donned our rain gear and our packs, leashed up the dogs and hit the trail.

Talus field cloaked in autumn colors with
Chair Peak in the background

The trail to Snow Lake leaves from the parking lot and almost immediately begins a continuous climb up the ridge. We climbed through subalpine forest, our footsteps hushed by a blanketing mist. The trees gave way to an easy-to-navigate field of rock debris, called talus. I found myself looking about for a marmot or pika, finding instead a chipmunk scurrying away on its business. This is where I remembered I was attached to Zillah via a very thick leash. Fortunately she is easy to recall, otherwise this trip could have had a far different ending. She remained on alert the remainder of our ascent, at the ready should she need to protect us from any further vicious squirrels.

The trees began thinning out, allowing more light for berry-bearing bushes, ferns and ground cover shrubs. Most had died back to the burnt orange color of autumn in preparation for the impending snows. Before long we reached a steep and mercifully short climb which was our last leg to the top of the ridge. Once at the top, there is a short scramble over some large boulders to a glorious viewpoint atop an outcropping that overlooks the lake. The trail continues on down to the shore of the lake, but today's journey was only to the overlook. 



Our first glimpse of Chair Peak

 

The wind blowing up from the lake was brisk, carrying on its wing the bite of winter, and it cut right through us. The low-lying clouds through which we had hiked most of the day blew in and swirled over the water's surface below us. Chair and Roosevelt Peaks played a game of peek-a-boo, pulling the cover of the clouds over their faces, then revealing themselves to us again and again. Blue skies would occasionally taunt and tease us with the promise of an even more spectacular scene, then hide away again behind the clouds. Apparently they, too, felt the chill of the wind and wanted to pull the blanket of clouds up for warmth. Finally we gave in and retreated to the relative protection behind the outcropping where we heated some water for coffee & cocoa.

After warming ourselves from the inside, we packed up and headed back down the trail. Although we had encountered quite a few people (and their dogs) on our way up, our return trip was almost in solitude. The daylight was quickly waning and the clouds began a light, cold drizzle. The darkness overtook us as we made our way under thicker tree-cover, so we donned our headlamps and continued on. I am so thankful that we came well prepared with extra layers, rain gear, a stove (and Bailey's!) and headlamps. Before we knew it we had arrived back at the parking lot, another wonderful trail behind us.

 


Me and Zillah on the outcropping of the overlook

Hike 53! of 52
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1800'
Max Elevation Achieved: 4400'