Lake Serene/Bridal Veil Falls trip report 07/05/2008

Updated 07/05/2008

Trip Details:

 

Arrive trailhead

 11:30AM
 

Start hiking

 11:52AM
 

Serene Lunch Rock

 01:44PM
 

Bridal Falls Junction

 03:19PM
 

View of Valley

 03:26PM
 

Bridal Veil Falls Upper

 03:34PM
 

Bridal Falls Junction

 03:50PM
 

Car

 04:27PM
 

Snow

Covering most of lake still. No trail issues. Some snow patches if you went towards the Lunch Rock but easy.
 

Bugs

Non existent.
 

Weather

Rain, rain rain. Raining when I started, raining when I got to lake, raining back at car. It actually did briefly stop raining for maybe 30 minutes in there when I went up to Bridal Veil falls but it started back up again on the way back Back at the car it was raining pretty hard. Fortunately temps in the 60's so I just got wet and dealt with it. Wet camera was most annoying lens fogging/raindrops etc. It was a bit cold being wet at the lake though with the refrigeration effect.

  Crowds Not the usual Serene crowds, but the lot was at least 80% full when I arrived (albeit late). Still plenty of cars when I finished as well. Saw people off and on both coming and going. The umbrella boys were most unusual as they carried umbrellas while hiking.
  Scenic Value The rain didn't help the views, but it was a different perspective on the lake one of which I hope I won't revisit anytime soon. Well the partially frozen lake and debris on the lake was kind of cool/different as well as some snow.
  Difficulty It's a trail. Where it is steep they have built steps. Probably close to 500 of them on the entire route sprinkled around. No snow until past the toilet sign, then easily negotiated. A few spots on way to lunch rock looked like possible postholing as it melts, but it was so consolidated, no issues. The worst part was the mud in places. Best to stick to the rocks as it was very slippery in places. I will comment on that first crossing over the creek about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. Going out it seems trickier especially when wet. The boards are a bit far apart and the fear is catching a toe in between the boards which would result in a not so fun fall down 6-8 feet into the creek/rocks.

I guess I'm getting in better shape because after all this I didn't really feel like I had done anything. Maybe it was hiking in the rain.

     

Narrative:

Well I wanted something that wasn't a peak slog, especially given the low cloud ceiling in general. Little did I know it would be raining virtually the entire hike.

Decided to do Lake Serene for the first time this year. Since we were visiting family over the 4th and didn't get home until almost 2AM I got a later than normal start. Actually I was hoping this would lend to better weather. Well it sure didn't.

I arrived and it seemed innocent enough. The parking lot was pretty full despite the fact that it was misting/bordering on rain. While getting ready the rain turned to a steady drizzle. Whether to don the rain gear was the question of the day. I decided to just start hiking with baseball cap in the hopes the weather would improve. Interestingly enough I had two people ask me while I was getting ready where to get the passes to park. Lots o newbies I guess.

 Lake Serene Trailhead before hike. Just starting to rain fairly steady.

 

I slogged up through the rain. Actually the tree drip was worse than the ran as they became saturated. The mud was bad in places. Oh yea and I hate that first little bridge. I guess they tried to skimp on boards. Just be careful not to catch a toe between the boards.

 I hate this crossing. It is only about 1/4 mile from the car.

I decided to forgo all pictures until the lake so I could keep the camera dry and hope for better weather. It never stopped raining. In fact it was raining harder it seemed at the lake with no real spots for refuge. Took a few pictures. Notice the three guys holding a couple of umbrellas. I thought interesting, later to realize they would be hiking down holding them. Something I've not seen on a hiking trail before. Maybe don't knock it till you've tried it eh?

 Pictures at Lake Serene in the rain. Pictures at Lake Serene in the rain. Pictures at Lake Serene in the rain from Lunch Rock. First sighting of the umbrella boys.

 

A few more shots then time to head down.

 Lake Serene in the rain. Following the umbrella boys back to the Lake Serene outlet. Some snow still at lake.

 

Stopped for a few more pictures at/near the outlet.

 Lake Serene log bridge at outlet. Lake Serene from log bridge at outlet. Lake Serene from log bridge at outlet. Lake Serene from log bridge at outlet. Parting shots of lake Serene in the rain. Parting shots of lake Serene in the rain. Parting shots of lake Serene in the rain.

 

By now the lens was wet as well as fogging up. Time to head down. A few shots on the way back to the Bridal Veil Falls junction.

 Some views (if you could call them that) from upper portion of Lake Serene trail. Large blowdown but not blocking trail. Strange Tree noticed on way down lake Serene trail. Baby falls. Falls from the lake Serene trail.

Back at junction to take a side trip up to Bridal Veil Falls. The falls were roaring and if you stood close you were going to get wet. Of course you already were wet.

 Junction to Bridal Veil Falls. View on way up to Bridal Veil falls. View on way up to Bridal Veil falls. Bridal Veil Falls from up top. Bridal Veil Falls from up top.

Not much point in hanging around. Back down slogging through the rain on the easy road trail to the car. Back at the car it was raining cats and dogs, or at least cats.

Slogging the lower lake Serene trail in the rain. All done at the Lake Serene trailhead parking lot, and not the only people foolish enough to hike this today.

Time to hit the road and get home to dry everything out.  

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bikejr's Lake Serene/Bridal Veil 07-05-2008 photoset bikejr's Lake Serene/Bridal Veil 07-05-2008 photoset
 

All Trip Pictures (flickr)

NW Hikers Trip Report

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Last Updated 07/05/2008