Today we headed up to the West side of Stevens Pass on Hwy 2 to do the combination hike of Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene between the towns of Gold Bar and Index. The hike to Lake Serene is a little over 3 miles with a 1/2 mile spur trail to Bridal Veil Falls. Combining the two hikes gives you a good work out with the ups and downs. Overall hike is 8.2 miles with 2000 ft of elevation gain. This February, there is no snow on the trail or in the avalanche chutes.
The first part of the hike is in the forest with a gentle climb. there were a few downed trees and some water on the trail. We did see some blossoms.
At 1.7 miles, the trail splits. We choose to take the spur trail to Bridal Veil Falls first. It is a steep and rocky 1/2 miles up hill.
There is a loop trail at Bridal Veil Falls, with a nice look out over the valley below.
View of the falls from the lower loop.
View of the falls from the upper loop.
Then we hiked down to the main trail, where it drops down to cross the creek below the falls. In this lower section, we caught some glimpses of Mt Index high above us.
There were these other falls coursing over the rocks.
Then the trail begins to climb 1,300 ft in a little over a mile to reach Lake Serene. We could see Mt Index and part of Bridal Veil Falls in the distance.
After the last switchback, we could see Mt Index looming above us. Surprised at how little snow there was.
Another small falls
Lake Serene and Mt Index:
A log bridge crosses the outlet of Lake Serene.
View of Lake Serene from the bridge
View from the bridge overlooking the creek covered in logs as it heads to Bridal Veil Falls.
Right after the log bridge, the trail splits. Straight ahead Lunch Rock, with gorgeous views of the lake. To the right Valley Overlook.
We went to the Valley Overlook first. Here the creek drops into Bridal Veil Falls, below the valley and the Skykomish River, and to the north some other peaks in the northern Cascades.
From Lunch Rock Mt Index above Lake Serene and
Lake Serene
We had Lunch Rock to ourselves while eating our lunch, and saw only a few hikers today. I hear it is a very popular trail on the weekends.
What a beautiful hike!
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