Weekend activities are synonymous with full parking lots and lots of company on the trails. This was no exception. Too many people and unleashed dogs were encountered at the beginning. Skiers and snowshoers tried to share the trail. Some people eventually veered off in a different location with different goals in mind. The snow was thick and fluffy. If my husband hadn't pointed out where the lake was, I wouldn't have known as it was almost 100% covered. I found out later that there was a waterfall on the way, and would have liked to have seen it. The dogs had a great time running around and making their own trail after we found a secluded spot to have a break and let them loose to dispense some of their energy.

We parked at the Alpental Parking lot and followed the South Fork Snoqualmie River. (The map calls it a river but it looks like a stream to me!) After passing Source Lake we climbed the avalanche chute to the pass. We traversed the ridge above Snow Lake. The wind and snow had blasted the trees into strange and wonderful shapes. After lunch, we descended the avalanche chute to the Source Lake Trail. After the intersection with the Snow Lake Trail we grew tired of the noisy hordes and descended to the river again. We followed the river to the parking lot. The snow was crusty and icy. Temps in mid 30's. It was a lovely loop with great views and a wonderful work out. For more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34457823@N04/sets/72157623244463095/

It was a special day of sorts so a sunny, snowy hike was in order since skiing just does not make sense on boilerplate surfaces. Suckered a friend in on the very chilly adventure but the summer trail gets plenty of sun at this time of year. CAUTION: The summer trail to Snow/Source Lake is definitely subject to avalanche conditions and the debris fields, that is plural, we crossed were evidence of the power and number of areas along the trail where danger can definitely lurk. We had intended to try for either Snow or the ridge but the very stiff snow conditions without real crampons probably would not be advisable. There were a few water ice crossings and they needed caution, too. Some nice frozen waterfalls both small and larger. At the junction we headed up the switchback, the end of the first switchback was across a debris field and steeper slope and the next switchback got narrow and icy and yak traks were not the tool of choice. We turned around and back at the junction headed up the broken trail to above Source Lake where sun and lunch were enjoyed. Saw two skiers carrying skis from below but never saw then use them. Headed back to the car enjoying the sun when we passed open areas. The waterfall area not far from the trailhead echoed with voices and we saw two ice climbers plying their skills. Saw another two skiers right at the trailhead - not happy about the conditions. Frankly, there were NO conditions. I think one of them mentioned "bobsled run." Sounds like the icy snow will continue for a while longer but maybe new snow over the weekend or next week. Repeating CAUTION: Again, the summer trail should only be snow hiked under special conditions of stability. Folks have been killed by avalanches along this route and not just at Source Lake but along the main trail.

Yup - just hiking while carrying snowshoes. The day was glorious and while chilly, there really was not much of any breeze making it more tolerable. The snow was firm and to a knoll above Source Lake, at least, snowshoes served only as ballast on my pack. Nursing a cold, I decided to turn back after a bit of lunch rather than hoof it up to the ridge saving energy for perhaps another day in the mountains tomorrow. The camera is in the basement, two floors away and so pictures will not be shared this time around. Tired after coming home it was still too nice and I walked Greenlake... Enjoy the mountains and the clear and cold. New snow would be nice to return to skiing but a sunny day in the mountains is still wonderful. Ahhhhhh, I wanted to see what things looked like so hiked down to the basement.

The forecast drove us back to the mountains for possibly the last day of sun. And while we left Seattle with some high clouds that got cloudier as we headed up to Snoqualmie, ultimately by the Alpental parking lot, it was blue sky and sunshine. We were going for the ridge above Snow Lake. There is packed snow from the trailhead all the way. Not as icy as Mt Si can be so the footing was good and NO snowshoes were needed. At the junction to the Source Lake overlook and the newer Snow Lake Trail we started up the switchback. But it was quite slick and occasionally leaning the wrong way and too well-packed. It also pretty much petered out - it is NOT a good winter route. Back down the switchback to the Source Lake Overlook. We did head partway up toward the ridge at the head of the valley above Source Lake. Ate lunch and then circled above Source Lake and took a ski/snowshoe beaten route back on the ""south"" side of the creek all the way to the upper parking lot. All this and walking our own trail above Source Lake did not require snowshoes. For those reading, that loop of Source Lake should not normally be attempted as the slopes are very prone to avalanches - actually, the Snow Lake Trail normally also is subject to slides, too. This low snowpack changes things. The more ""normal"" winter route is the way we came back altho, there, too, can be slide areas. And for those who need to know, at the end we met a guy who climbed Snoqualmie Mt today. He said the wind was ferocious and he used CRAMPONS as soon as he left the parking lot. We need new snow says ""Just a hiker/Just a skier/Just a snowshoer""