We drove up to the Mount Margaret/Lillian Lake Trailhead southeast of Snoqualmie Pass to hike to the lake and mountain today. This was a 9.3 mile round trip hike with an overall elevation gain of 3,100 ft. The forecast for today was cloudy with scattered showers before 11 AM, we decided to hike to Lake Lillian first and go up Mount Margaret on the way back, hoping for some views later. The first part of the hike is on two decommissioned roads (watch for the trail sign). We saw some vine maples changing color along the road walk.
The trail leaves the road and climbs up through the forest with some occasional views to the southwest.
About two miles and 1,600 ft of gain from the trailhead, the trail joins the Lillian Lake Trail, we turned left towards Lillian Lake. From here, the trail descends down to Twin Lakes through the forest. We found some lingering snow along the trail here.
We passed another pond as the trail wound its way to Twin Lakes.
view from the other end of the pond
Photos along Twin Lakes
The clouds would lift and descend, giving some glimpses of the nearby ridge line.
another view at Twin Lakes
After passing Twin Lakes, the trail would descend and climb on the way to Lillian Lake. Several sections of the trail were under water from the rain and the weekend's melting snow.
Fall colors and view of the ridge line as the clouds parted momentarily.
Creek running across the trail.
another small pond
After crossing the end of a large talus field and continuing through forest, we reached an opening where we could see a waterfall which is below Laura Lake in the distance.
The trail then climbs very steeply up towards Lillian Lake.
It was very cloudy while we were at Lillian Lake. After a short lunch break, we returned along the trail.
some lovely lichen on a large boulderAbout 1/2 mile before the trail junction with the Margaret Lake trail and the trail down to the trailhead is a 0.2 mile boot track to the top of Mount Margaret, it is very steep gaining 259 ft in 0.2 miles and was a bit slippery so I did not take any photos along the way.
When we reached the top it was very cloudy, we could not see the lakes below or much of anything. As we began to descend, we watched the wind swirl the clouds around beginning to reveal some nearby ridges.
Before long, the clouds lifted and we began to have views. 
We returned the short distance to the top, here looking towards the still cloud covered Rampart Ridge. To the left, in the far distance, is Lillian Lake with a long waterfall descending towards Laura Lake with a short wide waterfall descending. At the center below the open slope is on of the Twin Lakes.
Below us to the east is Margaret Lake, Stonesthrow Lake and Swan Lake.
We were happy with our hike today and thrilled that the clouds rose high enough to give us some views from Mount Margaret. As we hiked down to the trailhead, these sun beams broke through the fog.
In the forest, there was lots to see including this lovely moss covered stump and fungi:
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