Its been off and on rain all week, but this weekend it was supposed to be clear and sunny and low 70’s. I wanted a little bit of a drive so I left the house about 920 and headed up the back roads to Monroe to go east on Hwy 2 up to Stevens Pass. Before I left I checked the WTA website “hike finder” to see what hikes were up at the top of the pass. Most notably was the Pacific Crest Trail, and I thought about heading south on it from the Ski area parking lot with no particular destination. But the hike finder showed a Lake Valhalla from a trailhead about 3 miles east of the summit and 2.5 miles up forest service road 6700 and had good reviews.
I stopped briefly at the Iron Goat Interpretive Site where I’ve hiked before to use the toilet, then stopped again at the ski lodge at the top of the pass for a mocha. It was 1130. I got to the trailhead at 1150 and was promptly on the Smithbrook trail no. 1590. The hike finder billed this as a family friendly trail that was 7 miles RT. I just went my own pace as usual and didn’t find it particularly difficult, but for a number of older people that were on the trail, I’m sure it was more than moderate.
It was a busy trail, but nothing like Rattlesnake Ledge or Mt Si. The first mile climbed up moderately to intersect with the PCT, then north from there was actually quite easy.
It was fairly muddy after a week of rain, but no dust, and tread/footing was pretty good. I passed a few people, and was passed by one or two others. Didn’t talk with anyone, wasn’t much eye contact. Most people will nod or say hi, but others just ignore.
I was quite surprised to arrive at a crest above the lake in 1 hour, and the trail down to the lake was another 10 minutes, so got there right at 1pm. I didn’t think I went that fast, but that’s what it took going back too.
There was a nice big flat rock at the lake to sit on, and even a short sandy beach area which was full of other people. I figure maybe two dozen total, and some of them were campers in the area. I sat on the rock and ate my lunch, and rested comfortably for about 30 minutes. People were coming and going, and others were arriving so I figured I’d let them have the rock to enjoy. I packed up and headed back up the trail to the crest, which by the time I got there the sun was in such a position that pictures looking down on the lake wouldn’t have been very nice. So on I went back to the car. Arrived back at the trailhead at 4pm, took my boots off, and drove slowly back down the dirt road.
I stopped at 430 in Skykomish for an early supper at the Cascadia Inn, and enjoyed the restaurant to myself. Had a blue cheese and bacon burger with potato salad, and a mixed berry crisp for dessert. No trains went by while I was there so after I left I sat in the car at the tracks hoping for one. After 20 minutes, nothing, so I got back on the road for home arriving at 715. Traffic going both ways today was VERY light and I was able to mostly keep at 55 or under for the drive. Very relaxing.