Snow Lake

We drove up to Snoqualmie Pass (Alpental) to hike up to Snow Lake before the upcoming winter storm. The trail was mostly icy with packed down snow around Snow Lake, no snow in the avalanche areas. Overall we hiked 7.4 miles round trip with 1.750 ft of gain. Frozen Waterfall near the beginning of the trail.

A mostly frozen waterfall that crosses the trail

Hoar frost

Another mostly frozen waterfall

icicles on rocks bordering the trail

As we went up the switchbacks below the saddle we could see some peaks emerging through the clouds.

Frosty trees and large icicles on the cliffs above us

We saw some large broken icicles on the trail.

Large icicles on the side of the trail.

Some very icy sections along the switchbacks

The trail enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at the saddle. We found blue sky as we descended the switchbacks on the Snow Lake side of the saddle.

Icy creek near the lake

Some views as we hiked around Snow Lake

There was a very steep section of the trail that was very icy, we made it down and later back up, glad we wore our micro spikes.

View of Snow Lake and Mount Roosevelt near the lake outlet. We had a time limit today, so choose this as our turn around spot.

Icicles hanging off tree branches over the lake

Icicles hanging off a downed log on the lake

Snowy Cascade peaks seen from the trail section returning towards the Snow Lake Trail.

Back to the frozen creek crossing with a view of Chair Peak.

We took the spur trail down to the lake access for some nice views as the sky became cloudy.

Icicles hanging off boulders at the edge of the lake

I liked the icicles hanging off the edge of the ice that was over the lake.

Swirling patterns in the ice

Back at the saddle we went over to the viewpoint at the boulders and ate our lunch.

Unfortunately, we were harassed by grey jays, one stole the sandwich bag right out of my hand. I was able to get most of it back. I wish people would not feed the jays as it makes them very aggressive. We were fortunate to see a pike running around (too fast for me to get a photo).

Enjoyed seeing the icicles along the trail on our way back down.

Although it was more cloudy as we hiked out, we did glimpse these peaks through the clouds.