vTrail Lake Serene

Lake Serene

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Ranger's Report

Weather

Road Condition

River Level

Distance:

3.5 miles one way

Hiking Time:

2.5 hours

Trailhead Elevation:

640 ft

Elevation Gain:

+1600 ft

Season:

June - October

Difficulty:

Strenuous

Rating:

Best - Very Good - Good - Fair

Use:

Heavy

Users:

Hikers

Region:

Skykomish Ranger District

Maps:

USGS Index
Skykomish Ranger District Map

Permits:

Northwest Forest Pass is required

Driving Directions:

From Seattle take I-5 North to Exit 194 to Highway 2 East. Turn right at MP 35.2 onto Mt. Index Road #6020. In 0.3 mile turn right, trailhead parking is in about 0.3 mile on the left side of the road.

Trailhead:

Good parking, no campsites, no water (creek is in about one mile up the trail), accessible toilet.

Trail:

For the first mile the trail follows an old road with salmonberry bushes along the sides. The trail starts climbing gradually (about 0.5 mile) before reaching junction with Bridal Veil Falls that is to the right. If you will continue straight to the lake, make sure you have water with you, for after bridge crossing there will be no water all the way to the lake. A steep, short (0.5 m) zigzagging trail leads to the waterfalls. The waterfalls are beautiful and worth an effort

. Main trail continues further to the lake for about 2 miles. This part of the trail is hard: steep switchbacks on the rocky slope, but salmonberries, huckleberries and blueberries really help to overcome it. The lake is well deserving the effort

. There are several campsites on the north side of the lake, backcounty toilet is available. It is better to take this hike in the first part of the day for the cirque on the south-west side of the lake closes the lake and area from the sun in the afternoon. Overnight camping and campfires are prohibited.