Snow Lake — Saturday, Jul. 6, 2019

Started this hike around 10:15am. Taking a friend new new to the country and no real PNW hiking under their belt. Upper lot already full. Weather was overcast and Trail was in overall good condition except for mud at the top and traffic jams throughout.

Other trail reports will certainly give better information. I’m simply posting this to highlight the fact that I have never seen a trail so crowded as I saw Snow Lake yesterday. Not even Mt. Si or Rattlesnake Ledge. It was definitely a tourist crowd and yet another reminder why I try to be at a trailhead (these days) by 6am on a weekend day. The crowded trail while disappointing was not unexpected. What was probably harder to comprehend were the crush of people at the lakes edge trying to enjoy their own little picnic. While truly one of the most beautiful alpine lake scenes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, it sounded like a crowded public park or music festival open seating/picnic area.