We haven't hiked in the mountains for a while, so that's what I requested for Mother's Day. The last time we did this hike was 10 years ago (more on that later!). The short portion of gravel road to the parking lot has some pretty large potholes. Arriving at the trailhead around 7:45 am, there was plenty of space to park still. Maybe half full. Toilet at the parking lot had plenty of toilet paper and wasn't super smelly
Getting there early and hiking slow as heck with my two kids meant it didn't feel very busy. We got passed by a lot of people. The trail is consistently up until the end, sometimes rocky, but mostly good tread. Towards the beginning, we saw trillium, but they were starting to look wilty. Green bunchberry that should look nice in a couple of weeks under the powerlines. Closer to the lake, we started seeing more variety in flowers. The forest is older and its still cooler up high. We noted the dark purple wild ginger flowers that hide under the dark green leaves. Many early glacier lily that later became patches of yellow curling petals. Blooming near the streams are small stream violets, and white flowers I later learned are likely marsh marigold. The trilliums are more fresh higher on the trail. Reminder not to pick them please! They don't last and won't bloom again for years after.
The lake was a pretty emerald color. Most of the spring growth is just beginning. Last time we visited, we went right at the junction at the lake. This time, we wanted to check out the campsites (there are a few, all close together) and different angle. Lots of small groups hanging out, a couple of campers, but not super crowded. I went to sketch from the shoreline and the clouds rolled in almost immediately. The breeze picked up and it was pretty chilly (40s) by the time I was finished 45 min later. Most of the people had left, we passed some groups coming up when we were headed down.
There were a few minor blowdowns near the lake, easy to step over or under. The last of the snow (pictured) is but a chilly mud section now.
Some poop bags left alone the trail, plus an abandoned pile of camping gear (that I will be forwarding photos and location of to the Forest Service...) in the back of the camping area. When we got back to the trailhead, the lot was still about half full, just in the opposite spots. Some parked on road. Saw some tickets on windshields for parking passes, Discover Pass is NOT accepted here. Discover Pass is for state-owned land. This parking area is on federal land and requires a NW Forest Pass OR America the Beautiful Pass.
Happy Mother's Day! Saw lots of families together today.
Story time!
I wrote this trip report 10 years ago, the first time we did this hike. Then, I was a mom to an almost 2-year old. Today, I walked on the beautiful newly built steps that bypassed the notched log bridge in the photo from my old trip report. When we did it the first time, we were in our 2nd season of hiking regularly. On the hike down, my husband tripped and sprained his ankle (with the kid on his back!). We were assisted by fellow hikers and a good Samaritan who was clearly more experienced hiked out with us. I lost the business card he gave us, but if that story sounds familiar to you, reach out, we owe you a SAM Splint! :)
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