Lake Serene, Washington

I participated on a hike to Lake Serene with the Seattle Hiking group. It was a great hike, although, the weather was less than perfect. This was the wettest hike I've ever been on. Almost the entire time it was raining. Not a misty Seattle rain but real rain drops. Everyone, including me, still had a great time though. However, it would be nice to visit Lake Serene again when the skies are clearer to see more of the mountains around the lake and along the trail.

The trail head sign has the following to say:

Lake Serene Trail

A "hiker only" trail climbing 2,000 feet to the cliff-ringed shore of Lake Serene. This is a strenuous 3.6 mile hike, the last 2 miles rising steeply with 23 switchback and many stairways. From the bridge over Bridal Veil Creek, you will be rewarded with a view of the lower falls.

The trail climbs and winds around mossy boulders past old growth Sitka spruce and big leaf maples. Please stay on the trail. Shortcutting switchbacks damages vegetation, causes erosion, and is illegal.

Directions to Lake Serene: Taking Highway 2 west from Monroe turn right on to Index Road. This is at about mile marker 35 and just before a steel bridge. Follow Index Road for 0.4 miles and then turn right. The trailhead parking lot is just ahead. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trail head.

(May 22nd, 2005)

The Seattle Hiking Yahoo Group organized this hike. Here we all are. We did split up into two groups. One group went to the lake the other went to Bridal Veil Falls.	Lower Bridal Veil Falls as seen from the bridge on the Lake Serene trail.	Just past this small sign the trail goes down hill a bit and you find Lake Serene.	This picture gives a feeling for the weather that day. Low clouds, cold, and rain.
I wonder what the story is behind this rock. How did it end up just near the edge of the lake all by itself and how long ago did it come off the mountain?	This is the outlet of Lake Serene. I wonder how many winters it took for all of the tree truncks to pile up?	Foad and Elfie head up the stairs to Lunch Rock.	Ready for a swim? Not today, just getting that wet shirt off.
	See, I really was there.	My goal for this picture was to capture the heavy rain that was falling while we were at the lake. I think I succeeded.	So, what did you do while we were at the lake? Well we took a short look around and then huddled under a tree to shelter us from the rain a bit while we ate lunch.
		Of course the patches of sun appear shortly after we leave the lake.

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The pictures in this gallery were taken with a Nikon D70 Digital SLR camera. Any use of these pictures without permission from the photographer is strictly prohibited. Email me to request permission to use any of these pictures or if you would like a higher resolution version.

Last updated: 6/7/05