Album: Lake Serene (86 images)

On October 13th Tom, Kristina, Adam, and I went on a day hike to Lake Serene, just off Highway 2 near Index, WA. It turned out to be a much longer and more arduous hike than we had expected, but it was great nonetheless. We saw some great views of Lake Serene, Bridal Veils Falls, and the surrounding country, all while traversing a trail that almost seemed designed to twist ankles or cause falls.

Click a picture to see a larger view.
The turn-off to the trailhaed. We couldn't park there because it required a National Parks pass, which ironically you can't buy when you get there. The beginning of the hike had a lot of deciduous trees and underbrush, which became quite scarce by the time we got to the top. This was going to be the 'Look at Tom faling into the water' picture, but he didn't. We were lucky that the sun was out ans shining for the first time in several days. Kristina leading the way, followed by Tom and Adam. Starting to transition to evergreens, with a lot less underbrush. This was a very steep hillside. Krisitna, Adam, and me. I don't think I was winking on purpose. Krisitina didn't want Tom taking her picture, apparently. We went to the falls first, then did the trip to the Lake. That '2' should realyl have been '20'. img_3101.jpg My camera had a lot of trouble with the lighting, but that's Tom in the foreground. Yes, that's the trail they're standing on. We'll be climbing up the side of that eventually. Bridal Veils Falls. They're really big. Looking back out at the valley. More falls. The valley again. Still falling. The rock face looked to me like it was going to crack off and fall at any moment. The valley is still there. img_3113.jpg img_3114.jpg It's me! It's supposed to say 'STAND BACK', not 'AND BACK'. Tom and Kristina at the falls. This deadly log was poised to throw us off the cliff. img_3119.jpg Cool boardwalk. Back on the way to the lake. Nice fall foliage. img_3123.jpg We made it to the lake! One of the sturdier bridges along the way. Tom and Kristina looking up at more falls. There's a waterfall back there somewhere. There it is. I'm glad we didn't have to find a way to walk across that. img_3130.jpg These falls were really cool. img_3132.jpg img_3133.jpg img_3134.jpg img_3135.jpg Lots of water dripping everywhere. img_3137.jpg img_3138.jpg img_3139.jpg img_3140.jpg Onward! img_3142.jpg Snow-capped peaks in the distance. img_3144.jpg This was just before Adam was almost crushed. Tom barely escaped as well. The trail is that seemingly random pile of rocks. img_3148.jpg img_3149.jpg Steep. Mmm, lunch. At a lookout just before arriving at the lake. The view from up here was awesome, much better than my camera can show. img_3154.jpg img_3155.jpg Sweet. We made it to the lake! img_3159.jpg Kristina bravely led the way out to a boulder in the water. img_3161.jpg img_3162.jpg img_3163.jpg img_3164.jpg The picture isn't upside down, that the reflection off the water. First panorama attempt, badly over-exposed on the right side. Much better. Crossing a fallen tree graveyard. img_3175.jpg img_3176.jpg img_3177.jpg img_3178.jpg img_3179.jpg Kristina, Tom, and Adam at Lake Serene. Me, Tom, and Adam. On the road after making it safely down the mountain. This is what I look like when I drive, apparently.
Copyright © 2012 David Seater