We had hiked to Valhalla with a group two days ago, so we thought we would try Janus for a shakeout backpack.

From the intersection with the PCT, the trail descends gradually but continually to Janus, so it sits several hundred feet lower than Valhalla. This should have been a clue. By the time we got within half a mile of the lake, the mosquitoes were a terrible swarm.

We immediately headed back up hill and made it to Valhalla just before dark. Two other groups were camping in the best sites, so we wedged in where we could. A pair of high school boys were nearby, had started a fire, and talked loudly until midnight. Bugs were annoying but not terrible.

Despite all of that, it was a good trip. We checked off the first overnight of the year and woke up to a gorgeous morning with the lake to ourselves.

Smithbrook Trailhead was a zoo. I've never seen it that crazy before. People parking on both sides of the gravel road making it impossible for cars to get in or out easily. I don't think a horse trailer or SAR emergency vehicle would have made it through the gauntlet. I want people to enjoy the outdoors on these nice days but we got to work together and not park like a-holes just because you want to be closer to the trailhead. I hopped off my soap box and made it through the sea of people and sometimes leashed dogs. Everyone was headed to Lake Valhalla, which is worthy of the hype. Once I turned north on PCT, there was no one. On my way to Lake Janus, I saw 3 other groups. Then after that I didn't see anyone. Roughly 2 miles after Lake Janus, you get a knock view of Glacier Peak and little further is an unmarked turnoff for the Glasses Lake viewpoint. This was my turn around point. Just under 12 miles. I might have pressed on to Grizzly if it weren't so late in the day. Glad I turned right when everyone else turned left.

I hiked from Stevens pass to lake valhalla and continues to Lake Janus. Stayed overnight at Janus in the camping sites there. and hiked back the next day morning. The total distanced turned out to be 22 miles with a elevation of 3500 feet. The one way took me 8 hours. 

The weather was pleasant for most part - for some time of the day it was getting hot. 

You have a few water streams all the while - the water is up to your ankles i would say. 

The insects are annoying - the minute you sit down, withing 60 seconds they tear you apart. So you need to have your cream on and the noise can also be disturbing. If you have your cream on, should be fine. 

The best part is the ripe blue berries - so yummy and all on your path. You dont need to take a step way. 

There are too many wild fires starting, so please do have a check.

Happy hiking.

This trip report is just to Lake Janus and back. Arrived at the Smithbrook trailhead before 8:00 am on a foggy Wednesday to head up towards the PCT and Lake Janus. There were only two other cars in the lot. 

Two important notes about the trailhead. 1. No toilets. There are two pit toilets at the Steven’s Pass ski area in one of the upper lots (RV parking in the winter) so I would encourage you to make a stop there before heading out. This is a well used trailhead and each time I visit I spot bits of TP near the trailhead! Yuck! 2. The bugs were out. I got my first mosquito bite in the lot before I could spray repellant. 

The main trail that also serves Mt. McCausland and Lake Valhalla was overgrown for the first 1/4 mile. I suspect many people take the “short cut” up the dirt road and access the trail from the old trailhead where there are a few parking spaces. Once the two trails met up everything was in good shape. 
After turning right onto the PCT at Union Gap the trail looses some elevation and gets deeper into berry country. The berries are just starting to ripen up. At about the 3 mile mark our party smelled an animal but never spotted anything. We are a pretty experienced group of hikers and all of us suspected bear. It was sort of like a very dirty wet dog. People don’t need to be scared of hiking through here, just be bear aware, carry bear spray that you can access from your pack, and if you are camping store your food thoughtfully. 
We hit Lake Janus around 10:00 am. Didn’t stick around long. The annoying bugs were a downright nuisance at the lake. Half our group continued on the PCT and will hike out through Darrington. The other half turned around and were back at the car just after noon. At this point the clouds had begun to clear and all parking lots were full. This is a quite alternative to Valhalla that should be considered by those who prefer a little solitude when hiking. Lake Janus is beautiful!

Day 1: Smithbrook Trailhead to Lake Janus
Day 2: Day hike from Lake Janus to Lake Valhalla and back
Day 3: Lake Janus north on the PCT to Washington Pass
Day 4: Washington Pass to Fortune Ponds via Pear Lake
Day 5: Fortune Ponds to the Meadow Creek trailhead

28.2 miles hiked (by the map; probably more because of a few side trips)
~ 4,000 foot total elevation gain

My hiking partner and I met up in Monroe early Monday morning, bought our forest passes at the Skykomish ranger station, and drove to the Meadow Creek trailhead. The road has plenty of potholes but his Honda Civic did fine and my Jeep enjoyed it. Leaving his car there we headed up to the Smithbrook trailhead and began our journey, making it to Lake Janus by early afternoon. The trail was clear if a little brushy in one section, and water was scarce until just before the lake. We were first to arrive and had our choice of campsites, but only 4 other hikers showed up, so it was a peaceful night, other than the plentiful mosquitos.

Tuesday we left most of our gear at Janus and hiked back to Lake Valhalla, where there were a lot more people and a lot more mosquitos. The trail is in good shape and, while there were plenty of day hikers enjoying the trail and lakeshore, it never felt overly crowded. We enjoyed some ripe salmonberries on the north side of Union Gap, too. Tuesday evening we had Lake Janus to ourselves (and the mosquitos).

Wednesday was the biggest push, heading north on the PCT toward Washington Pass. The trail is open with no significant obstacles, wildflowers were in abundance in the high mountains, and the views were spectacular; Mt. Rainier peeking out to the south and Glacier Peak dominating the horizon. We had plentiful views of Shoofly Mountain and the remnant of last month's wildfire there, making me grateful for the men and women who work so hard to keep us safe from fire. Water was extremely scarce along the way. Our map made it appear we could stop at Margaret Lake and fill up before the final push up to Grizzly Peak but that was not the case as the lake is inaccessible from the trail. Thankfully we noticed before too late and filled our bottles in a little meadow nearby. As we prepared to move on we met another group heading southward who had also planned to fill up at Margaret, so perhaps it's a common error. Just make sure you fill up every chance you get. Dropping down the backside toward Washington Pass we met one hiker heading north who warned us of fresh bear scat on the trail a few hundred yards further down and the boy scout group camped at Pear Lake. Reaching Washington Pass it was early evening, the weather was turning, and since there was fresh water, we decided to camp for the night along the trail. As at Janus, the mosquitos were terrible.

Thursday morning we woke to a brief rainstorm which thankfully passed. We continued up the PCT to Pear Lake where we stopped for lunch. The scout group was gone so we had the lake to ourselves. From there we left the PCT and made the last big push up and over the pass and dropped down to Fortune Ponds, finding it also free of people but also - hallelujah! - free of mosquitos. The clouds broke, the sun came out, and we spent a blissful afternoon beside the pond, enjoying the sunlight sparkling on the water, the music of a waterfall across the pond, and the spectacle of the rugged ridge high behind us.

Friday morning we awoke to sunshine and still no bugs. A hot cup of coffee and bowl of oatmeal filled us up, and hope of pizza in Gold Bar motivated us to get moving down Meadow Creek to the trailhead. It's obvious this is a lesser-used trail. The path is mostly clear but brushed in in places. A few small trees cross the path and the infamous tree that blocks the trail is still there. We both made it over safely, although care is required lest you slide off and down the hillside. When we stopped at the creek crossing to fill our water bottles a solo day hiker passed us heading upstream; he was the first person we had seen in almost two days. Lower down we entered patches of ripe huckleberries that made the long grind a little more pleasant until we finally emerged at the trailhead and my buddy's car.

Overall, the trails were in great condition, our campsites were pleasant, and bugs were only a problem on the east side of the Cascades and only when we stopped moving. We saw more people on our day hike to Valhalla than on the other four days on the trail. Granted, Janus isn't as scenic as Valhalla, but if you're seeking solitude, the lesser-known trails and lakes are worth it. We enjoyed chatting with some PCT long-haulers and hearing their stories, and had plenty of time alone to silently ponder the scenic wonderland that is the Washington Cascade mountains.