Do you disagree with whoever edited this hike description and changed it to 13 miles? Your path steadily gains in elevation, while views are mostly forested. Go. There were a few groups of snowmobiles out today. WTA Member 25 Hiked Dec 31, 2012 ... Read About these trails in our Hiking Guide Lake Valhalla Snowshoe; The trail is currently very well packed down - no need to use snowshoes for the part of the trail following the road (though everyone else we passed was wearing them, I find it easier to walk without them when the snow is packed well enough that I don't fall through). Snowmobiles had packed down FS Road 6700 well enough that snowshoes were not needed to walk the 3 miles up the road to the Smithbrook Trailhead. I'd be quite interested if you attempt this hike and get to the lake from highway 2 in 7.5 miles. There, at 3.5 miles from the trailhead, catch the snow-obscured PCT, cross the head of the Smith Brook valley, and hike another 0.25 mile southwest to the Lake Valhalla basin at 4800 feet. cwcoleman Still interested in that map. Barclay Lake: 2 miles, 230 feet net elevation gain. Put our snowshoes … The water was a deep blue, and the warm rocky cirque provided the most brilliant contrast. I have included a photo of our track - GPS track available on request :-) For the backcountry portion, we left the Smith Brook road at the sharp hairpin, briefly using a snowshoe trail that went up towards #1590 to gain around 200 feet. We had a nice sunny Fall day with fresh snow so it was the perfect day for this hike. My Backpack. Share . The 1.6-mile hike runs through a forest of aspen and pine before reaching the 30-foot waterfall that cascades down to Glacier Creek. That's why all of us snowshoers are supposed to read and practice "Wilderness Navigation" :-)
[ http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/Wilderness-Navigation-P360.aspx ]
The relevant part of the trip description for connecting to the PCT:
"
Just over 2.5 miles up, at 4000 feet, the road again loops through a switchback turn. It was cold, icy and beautiful. Blog; Magazine; Sign Up; Press Room; Site Search. There's typically a well beaten path in the snow to the lake, making whiteout conditions or traveling at night easier for beginners and with only 2.5 miles roundtrip and 1,050' of elevation gain, you can experience a splendid snow adventure with minimal efforts. Today we snowshoed to Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. Super accessible, easy hike just past the summit of Stevens Pass. The first time we attempted the lake as a snowshoe, we missed the turn-off and wandered up Smithbrook road ultimately turning around without seeing the lake. That is 6.5 miles - 1 way. Check WTA for trip reports or call the ranger’s station . Instead of following the Smith Brook Trail, we navigated cross country up valley toward Lake Valhalla. Yeah - I've done my fair share of 'wilderness navigation'. We took ski's instead of snowshoes and the return trip was a breeze. Washington Trails Association Hike round trip from both trailheads or one-way either direction. Located just north of the Stevens Pass Resort and a stone's throw form the Pacific Crest Trail, the lake is accessible to snowshoers of most skill levels, and it sees a good amount of traffic throughout the year. The snow on the forest service road was compacted, so there was no need for snowshoes. The pull off on the side of Hwy. Still some snow over the trail the last 1/3 of the hike and around the lake (as of June 20th). Then the 1590 trail is 1.5 miles to the PCT, and then 1.8 to the lake. We parked on the shoulder of HWY 2 … Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The good part is that they really help groom the trail/road. Great road in, well maintained trail and great scenery the second half of the hike. After your snowshoeing adventure, come back to your cabin, light a fire and enjoy the evening at Valhalla. on Photo credit: Andrew Monko 9. -Chris, cwcoleman Again - my thinking that the boot pack from Smith Brook Road was 1590 may be the confusion point. Going back to #1590 to get up to the PCT would indeed add some miles. Take a spur into the woods at the trailhead (which is 3 miles from the car). Lake Valhalla had snow but the trail was mostly slush. This is an advanced but rewarding snowshoe hike where you will experience beautiful forest, meadows, as well as switch-backing up a ridge, all on one trail. It is not clear here how I would connect to the PCT from Smith Brook Road, other than 1590. We did encounter a steep gully/drainage along the PCT about 1/4 mile before reaching the lake. Hike by WTA Correspondents : Rob Shurtleff Lake Valhalla is a gem, tucked under Lichtenberg Mountain and Mount McCausland on the PCT North of Stevens Pass. Anthony Kasner Lake Valhalla is one of the prime winter day trips in the Stevens Pass area. $3.00/person per day. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. Lake Valhalla Snowshoe ... but instead of going to the resort like the rest of the masses we headed on the PCT toward Lake Valhalla. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/rachel-lake-trail--4 The 4.7-mile hike gains 800 feet in elevation and brings hikers past a series of ponds and marshy meadows, eventually leading to Cub Lake. More than just books: Gear, Apparel & More Shop Lake Valhalla If you love to play in the snow and have found that skiing isn't quite your cup of tea, hitch a ride with friends to Steven's Pass Resort and peel off to tag this incredible snowshoe hike (always go with a buddy, though). Seattle, WA 98104. From there we went cross country up valley to Lake Valhalla per Dan Nelson's description. Unfortunately I've already deleted the GPS tracks from that trip and today we only made it to the 1590 trailhead so that is no help either. Wildflowers abound in early summer, berries in late summer and fall colors make vivid surroundings in autumn. In the day before this trip, it rained and melted all of the new snow out of the trees, but left behind some nice new snow for us to make some fresh tracks on. We also enjoyed the very cool layering of snow on some boulders along the side of Smith Brook Road (see photo). We parked on the shoulder of HWY 2 and walked the berm to the Smithbrook Rd. Since you can not drive up Smith Brook Road, the 3 miles from highway 2 are required, adding a good distance to an already strenuous winter hike. WTA’s Commitment to Stand Against Racism; Go Outside . Trail snow-covered at times - gear and expertise recommended, Meadow along trail 1590, about half way between PCT and the road, Smith Brook Road - grooming courtesy of many snowmobiles, Cross-country connection to PCT on Lake Valhalla snowshoe trip. Not new to snow travel. Check your maps! Paulc Hiked Jan 24, 2019. There are two ways to access the lake. It’s not too long of a trail and their are really nice views along the way. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. Climb slightly while snowshoeing across the valley wall to get near the 4600-foot level in the next mile. Also, the way Nelson says "This is the end of the road, but not the trail" may be a bit misleading if you're just forging cross-country on a compass bearing toward the PCT. Mountaineers Books. There is a very noticeable Avalanche Chute right before the summer parking area - be careful here. Lake Valhalla Snowshoe; 1st snowshoe trip of the season. So there would not be an established trail for that portion between the Smith Brook road and the PCT. The only map I have is the Green Trails map. The new snow depth was approximately 8 - 10 inches on the PCT. Parking on highway 2 was super easy. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/smithbrook-trail Previous trip reports appear to indicate a longer trip (13 + miles) because they involve hiking the Smith Brook Trail #1590 up to the PCT which means initially heading northbound instead of southbound. 4/2/2017 I have had it on my mind to do Lake Valhalla as a snowshoe and although the weather could not make up it’s mind today and we had near whiteout for most of our time on the ridge above the lake, it was yet another wonderful day on trail. Read About these trails in our Hiking Guide Lake Valhalla Snowshoe; We arrived at RD6700 at 9:30am and … Note that according to my topo maps, you can't actually intersect the PCT at 4600 feet - it's more like at 4800 feet where that would occur. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 podenski@me.com The forecast had a high of 24°F at the lake basin, and that felt generous. on Parked at the Highway 2 pullout past Stevens Pass and headed up FR6700. Between Index and Leavenworth. As others have indicated, the Dan Nelson book lists this at 7.5 miles but it is really ~13 miles as indicated on the WTA site. Central Cascades. But that's not what the description says. Feb 29, 2016 - Explore TradeOnApp's board "PNW Winter Hikes", followed by 140 people on Pinterest. One thing to note - the 7.5 miles listed for this hike is misleading... From highway 2 up Smith Brook Road to the 1590 trailhead is 3 - 3.5 miles (depending if you take the shortcut around the major switchback). https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/lake-valhalla According to the paragraph quote above - the PCT junction is at 3.5 miles (well before the lake) and that alone is 7 miles. While Nelson indicates "in the next mile" to reach the PCT, I estimate it would be more like 0.7 miles to intersect at 4800 feet, depending on whatever obstacles need to be skirted during the traverse. S Pass snow, with the PCT and ultimately down to the left, down across... Road at the trailhead in boots made the trip before were confident was... After that trip before were confident it was hard not to notice how deep the snow still is 14. East Fork of the season to get in/out with the area ) heading! Heading up to the Lake is a gem, tucked under Lichtenberg Mountain and Mount.! Snowshoe ; Mount McCausland other car in the Smith Brook road ( road 4052.! 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