Snow Lake — Sunday, Sep. 11, 2016

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

This has risen to one of my top favorite hikes that I have done thus far. For one, the trail it self is absolutely amazing. I love rocky, rooty trails and this one is perfect. Very easy gradual trail that is built extremely well. You can tell that is is well used because of how wide the trial gets in some spots. I arrive sunday morning around 8:30 AM and once I got on to the trail I really didn't see anybody for the first portion of the trail. It was quiet, cold and crisp, my favorite. I took this trail at more of a leisure pace due to how much I was enjoying it, its absolutely stunning views and its peacefulness. I arrive at the junction with the short trail to source lake, my feet just continued on walking towards source lake with out even a thought in my brain. I was drawn closer to the views. This trail was only .5 miles to over look a small little lake. At one point on the trail, I sat down and hung my feet over the edge and reclined back over the trail and just enjoyed the view. I watched a couple walk further across the rocky field. I could hear that there were more people over there, further than the couple that was visible, I never could find them though. Eventually I got back up, and continued back towards snow lake. Once I hit the junction again, I started to hear more people, still none in sight. This is the point where the switch backs start. There are a couple large switch backs followed by 5 or 6 shorter ones, after you reach a plateau area that is almost meadow like. You will follow the trail around the corner to the left and you will have your first views of snow lake. Continue down the trail to the lake, the views get better the further you go. Once you get down there are several points to access the lake, and several camping spots for overnight hikers. I found a nice little spot to put my pack down and enjoy some lake side yoga, I was sore from being in the car and this being my third day of hiking in a row. After some good warrior flows and all the yummy yoga poses, its started to down pour. I continued on with my yoga but I saw several groups of people get up and leave, near everybody did. Once I was done I put my coat on and continued walking around the lake, past where all the people had been enjoying their lunches before the rain started. I found myself on another rocky field with the most beautiful clear water in front of me, if it wasn't for the cold rain I would have walked down to it. I kept going on up to the junction with Gem lake, then turned around and went back. By the time I got back up to where you get your first fews of snow lake, the rain had lifted and I ran into several groups coming over the crest of the mountain. Going down was slow and lots of people to pass. Saw several families, groups of guys, groups of girls, lots of people with dogs, a couple lone male hikers, I was the only lone girl hiker I saw the entire day. As I was nearing the end of the trail, I passed a lone male hiker he looked up at me hiking alone and gave me a look of shock. After thinking about it, it made me nervous that I was hiking alone, but then so empowered at the same time.