Squeezed one last fall hike into the mountains with a trip to Lake Janus from the Smithbrook trail head.  The lot and the first part of the trail up to Union Gap also services Lake Valhalla.  No issues currently getting to the parking area.  The forest road tends to forms rain gullies and these are now visible, but they are still quite minor - just put a wheel on each side as needed.  A few larger cobbles to avoid and some minor pot holes.  One car in the lot when we arrived around 10:00, the end of the shoulder season for sure.

The trail up to Union Gap now has sections of mud.  I wouldn't call them pits but winter boots are a good choice.  Just one small patch of mud/ice to step over and some residual snow patches off trail.  From Union gap north on the PCT there was no snow at all, on or off trail, and the footing was good.  Fall colors are now down to the dregs but still some yellows hanging on and the soft tawny browns surrounding Lake Janus were lovely.  Got a little wet from trail side branches from recent rains.  We went as far as the outlet and hopped over that, then returned.  The other main water crossing at the waterfall was still very manageable with many rock routes to choose from.  Lunch was at one of the many lake side camp sites with complete solitude and an expansive view across the peaceful water.  We did find some forgotten camping gear and packed that out.  Let me know if it's yours.

The only negative about this hike is that all the elevation gain to the top of Union Gap is given up on the way to the lake.  Then of course it's up hill on the way home.  Not a lot of mellow trail for dreaming on.  With our lake exploring we clocked in at just under 8 miles, and one jolly rancher for the way out elevation gain.

There is no out house at the trail head but there is one at Stevens Pass and even better the old single pit house, at Skykomish Ranger station on highway 2, has been replaced with a brand new duplex style.  Very clean.  With the maples at peak color highway 2 is a treat and the coffee chalet at Index adds a nice post hike stopping point with maple framed views up to Bridalveil falls.

Other issues - dog owners are leaving poo bags at the trail head where there is no garbage service, and they even look right at the pack it out signs while they do this.  Don't be one of them.  Also dog owners no other hikers like it when you allow your large dogs to run up to us barking.  Lucky for you I didn't have my poles out.  Just because trails are quiet the wilderness is not your personal dog park.

Everyone else went to Valhalla, we went to Janus, the alternative lake north on the PCT. It reminded us of hiking to lakes (22 and Heather) weekdays in the fall 20 yrs ago. Quiet. The lake is not the dramatic lake set in a granite basin, instead it is marshy in spots and surrounded by forest. There is sone nice fall color ringing the lake, some golden meadow grass, and turning foliage. At the camping spots there is good access to the water, and nice lunch logs. It may be more heavily used in the summer but today we had it to ourselves. Be sure to note that on the hike in you drop down under a boulder field and lose a lot of elevation that you have to regain on the hike out. The trail is well maintained and a pleasure to hike. The tail end of the thru hikers were out on trail today, they better get a move on while the weather is still good! 

We arrived at the Smithbrook TH around 8:30 and there were only 3 other cars in the lot.   We had the trail to Janus Lake to ourselves once we got to the PCT trail junction.   This is a nice trail with gradual elevation to a pretty little lake.   One of the campsites served as a nice lunch spot before we headed back.   

We passed a lot of hikers coming in as we headed back to the lot but at 3pm there were several spots open.

Found:  REI hat on the PCT about 2 miles north of Janus. See photo and add a comment if it's yours. 

Quick overnight to Janus and day hike from there out towards Grizzly Peak. It's around 4 miles to Janus via the Smithbrook trailhead and the PCT. We got to Janus around 12, set up camp and headed north on the PCT for a dayhike. Got to an overlook for Glasses Lake, about 3 miles past Janus, and turned around there. From Janus the PCT ascends about 1100 feet on a steady incline through wide spaced forest and huckleberries.

Although the campsites at Lake Janus were mostly empty when we arrived at noon, by evening at least 7 parties were camped in various spots. Lots of spread out camping and two toilets there. Oh, did I mention the blueberries? SO plentiful and perfectly ripe right now all around the camp areas. 

Janus is a calm, shallow lake, nice and quiet but also so shallow and muddy around the edges that it's a little hard to get water from. Consider collecting at least what you can carry from the beautiful creek and crystal clear pool 0.4 miles south of there on the PCT instead. 

Next day, Saturday, on our way back to car, we took a break at the intersection of the PCT and Smithbrook trail. There we watched with some amusement as group after group came up and stopped, confused, trying to figure out which way to Lake Valhalla, since most apparently didn't have enough of a map or info. Got to the point where I just kept saying "left" every time a group hesitated there. Counted at least 70 hikers heading up the Smithbrook trail. I wondered how many ended at Janus. 

Overnight August 20-21, 2025 from Stevens Pass to Janus Lake on the PCT. No bugs, trail well maintained, lots of water. Never carried more than a liter. Janus Lake has lots of spots to camp in between the blueberries. There are back country toilets and logs to sit on where tents pitch. 

Blueberry patches in full bloom, slows down walking while stopping to pick handulls!

Trail has sections of scree and rocks, Pika Palaces we call them! A few small sections with roots, but easy to navigate. Elevation gains and losses are not extreme. 

Beautiful forest sections in this 10 mile one way. Very lush, green, beautiful. Then pops out into a rock slide and views for miles.