Lake Serene Trail #1068 - Bridal Veil Falls

Our Hiking Time: 4h 30m
Total Ascent: 2400ft
Highest Point: 2600ft
Total Distance: 8.0 miles
Location: N 47° 47.0520, W 121° 34.3320
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Difficulty: Moderate

Snow levels continue to push us toward hikes in lower elevations, largely confining us to lakes and river valleys. Resigned to the theme for the immediate future, we set out to tackle Lake Serene before spring thaws bring flocks of hikers back to this well-traveled trail. Popular for over 50 years, the Lake Serene Trail #1068 got a makeover in the late 1990’s; a re-route that smoothed the once treacherous trail. These days the Lake Serene Trail is still a workout, with 23 switchbacks winding up the steep shoulders of Mt. Index.

The trail begins innocently enough – it follows a logging road with a mild grade the first portion of the hike, reserving most of the elevation for the end of the hike. For those interested in extending the hike, more than one side-trip is available along the trek up to the lake. Early in the hike, a short spur gives access to the old Honeymoon Mine, which is reported to be relatively safe and interesting to explore. To find it, look for a clearing along the logging road just before the first creek crossing. The unmarked trail is at the far end of the clearing. Additionally, about a mile into the trail, just before the trail hits the switchbacks and elevation gain, a well-signed path winds steeply up to Bridal Veil Falls and an expansive overview of the valley below. The glimpses of Bridal Veil Falls seen from Highway 2 as it passes under Mt. Index do little justice to the experience of standing at the base of the cascade.

From the falls, one can backtrack down to the main trail, or, for those thirsty for adventure, follow the faint bootpath up the mountainside. While this route shaves off almost two miles from the trip, it more than makes up for it in steepness. It is easy to lose track of the path, which at times is completely obscured or blocked with blowdowns. Occasional ribbons mark the way, but when in doubt, hug the creek and follow the path of least resistance. Steep, tricky and occasionally frustrating, this route is not for the faint of heart. However, we think the effort is rewarded by an enchanting waterfall tucked halfway between Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene. Impressive in their own right, the unexpected falls make a great spot to catch your breath before scaling the rest of the way to the top.

At first, the satisfaction of making it up to the lake basin is euphoric in and of itself, but it is almost immediate washed away by Lake Serene spreading out beneath the imposing cliffs of Mt. Index. Unlike many other questionably named places we’ve been to, this is no misnomer – Lake Serene lives up to its name. Once you catch your breath, follow the path as far as it will go around the lake to a popular lunch spot, or find your own little nook to take in the lake. More than likely you’re going to have some company, but there is more than enough of Index to go around. Unpack your lunch and take it all in.

We highly recommend the loop route to the lake for the adventurers out there – although a bit tricky and more than a little steep, it offers unique perspectives and hidden gems. It also avoids the crowds that normally clog the trail during the summer months. Still, if route finding isn’t your cup of tea, the main trail is still rewarding, especially if you take the side trip up to Bridal Veil Falls. Take advantage of the extensive trail improvements that include more than a few flights of stairs, eliminating many of the hazards that once kept this trail out of the guidebooks.

To get there, take Highway 2 out toward Index. Keep an eye out for the Mt. Index road on the right near milepost 35. Take the Mt. Index Road for about a half-mile following the signs directing you to the Lake Serene Trailhead. -Nathan

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Green Mountain

Our Hiking Time: 6h
Total Ascent: 3000ft
Highest Point: 4000ft
Total Distance: 13 miles
Location: N 47° 30.7080, W 121° 40.5060
Required Permit: None
Difficulty: Hard

This week found us slogging up the inconveniently located Green Mountain on a wet and dreary Sunday. Situated between Mt. Teneriffe and Bessemer Mountain, the only official means to access the Green Mountain Trailhead is along the CCC Road. Resigned to revisiting a few miles of plodding forest road, we geared up and headed out to North Bend.

When we did this hike, we knew of only two options for getting to the trailhead. One could either follow the Mt. Si Road out as far as it can go and hike the remaining four miles along the CCC Road to the trailhead or one could take FR 56 out to Big Blowout Creek and hike the Bessemer Mountain Road to the CCC Road and a five-mile trek to the trailhead. Either way has its disadvantages. Although the FR 56 approach is significantly longer, the terrain and trail are much more pleasant to hike through. While shorter, the Mt. Si Road approach is more aggravating. The road ends at the Mt. Teneriffe trailhead, though one can continue past numerous signs screaming “no recreational access” and “private road” to the gate, it is generally recommended that you park at the Mt. Teneriffe trailhead. Hopefully, you can avoid nasty notes on your vehicle more easily this way.

The hike up Green Mountain itself is enjoyable. Long abandoned logging roads quickly give way to something resembling a trail winding up the mountainside. Lower elevations are very similar to the lush, alder-lined CCC Trail, complete with frequent stream crossings. Evidence of logging still lingers, but the years have softened the blow, with quick growing hemlock and cedar already filling in the gaps. The trail is clear and in good shape though often heavy on the incline.

After a few miles and a number of long switchbacks, roads diverge and you’re presented with a choice. You can continue out to Mr. Manning’s Absolute Last Promontory, or you can hook up the mountain toward the summit. The Promontory is touted to have great views of Russian Butte and Garfield, as a decent birds-eye view of the Middle Fork Valley. The day’s low clouds pushed us toward the lesser-traveled summit route, which we followed to the end of the logging road. Once out of road, keep an eye out for ribbons marking an extremely steep route to the top. Be warned; the path makes no attempt to do anything other than convey you straight to the top, nor is it so well used that the path is clear. As snow built up it became increasingly difficult to follow the path, and once we pushed past the tree line, we called it a day beneath the exposed rocks of the summit.

This is a fun hike and challenging hike, though the hike in can take a lot of the joy out of it. Recently, we heard rumors of local hikers exploring a more direct route to Green Mountain by bushwhacking up from FR 56 and we took an afternoon to investigate. Without much hassle we found a much preferable alternative approach to the Green Mountain Trail that we highly recommend to the more traditional routes you'll find in guidebooks. We've updated the map here to reflect the new route. You can find a comparison of the route we took to the new trail here.

To get there, take I-90 to exit 34 and take a left onto 468th Ave. Follow the road past the truck stop for about a half-mile until you reach SE Middle Fork Road, also known as Forest Road 56. The road has a few twists and turns, but continue on until the asphalt ends at Mailbox Peak Trailhead. Press on just over five miles to a large concrete bridge spanning the Middle Fork Snoqualmie. Look for an unmarked trail heading downstream just past the bridge on the north side of the river. No real parking available, though the shoulder is a bit wider on the south side of the bridge. -Nathan

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