Valhalla Peak — Saturday, May. 24, 2025

The last Trip Report here was from April 27 so we weren't sure we could make the destination due to lack of info so I am updating it for you.  Our intended camp destination was the saddle (pass) just below Valhalla Peak.  We saw patchy snow a bit before the shelter (at three miles and 1300 gain in) and on up the difficult part beyond the bridge crossing when you gain 800 feet with a couple of scrambly bits.  All was mostly melted out so we became more and more optimistic until we hit the snow 800 feet up from the bridge and about a half mile from Harrison Lake.  It was solid, deep, and mushy making for hard going.  We pressed on in hopes it was just in that section - nope.  It is all the way.  We watched Gaia to be sure we were more or less on the route, but the usual right turn to the lake looked a bit sketchy so we opted to go further and went up a slightly gentler slope to a ridge which dropped us onto the standard trail at Harrison Lake.

The lake is just beginning to thaw so getting any water from it is tricky as you could posthole into the lake.  We tromped around a bit (with our full packs on) to see if we could see a reasonable way up because we know the usual trail goes up a rock that can be tricky when snow free so since we had no idea if campsites melted out or not and could see what looked like too much snow to make the summit, we opted out of continuing and tromped through snow around lake enjoying views of Valhalla and Constance.  We didn't totally want to camp on the snow, but after wandering around postholing here and there, I spied a small bit of bare ground, and we set up there.  The sun went down behind Constance at 7:10 so it got pretty chilly, but the tent was cozy as we had lots of clothing, good down bags, down booties, and a down quilt.  

Also there are several big blowdowns and some smaller ones mostly in section from trailhead to shelter - two no choice but to crawl under - fun with overnight packs.  Trillium and yellow violets were lovely in that section, and the paintbrush and other flowers on the approach road were gorgeous.

We met several people coming in who didn't look prepared for the current conditions so we tried to warn them.