Low avalanche risk at the lower elevations and very little snow on the windward slopes today.
So we headed up to Snoqualmie Pass and headed out to Snow Lake.
The trailhead is located by the parking lot at Alpental.
Our hike was about 8 miles round trip and 1400 ft total elevation gain. It's difficult to determine milage on a snow trip, because we're not always following the "official" trail that is under snow.
The first 0.5 miles are steps made to protect the trail. They were very icy.
Glad we had YakTrax and micro cleats, which made walking easy.
The trail then gradually ascends for the next 2.5 miles.
We saw several small waterfalls along the way, most were partially frozen.
After 3 miles from the beginning of the trail, you reach a steep slope with switchbacks heading up to a ridge line. By this time the sun was shinning and we were getting great views of the surrounding peaks.
Along this slope we saw a completely frozen waterfall.
The saddle of the ridge is reached at about 3.5 miles and 1000 ft elevation gain from the trailhead.
Here you enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
As we descended the 400 ft down to the lake, we saw Snow Lake covered in pristine snow.
We hiked until we came to a sunny spot by the lake on the opposite shore to eat lunch,
and admire the fabulous views.
By noon, the sun was sinking behind the ridge, and we headed out the way we came in, first up 400 ft.
On the way back, we turned up the other trail at the base of the ridge climb to Source Lake Overlook.
As we hiked through the lower portion, I noticed the many waterfalls coming down the rocky cliffs.
We had a fabulous day in the sun, enjoying the beauty of the Cascade Mountains.
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