Forum Index > Trip Reports > Snow Lake (I-90) 12-6-08 Legends, Myths, Fairy Tales
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Elvis
Shuffl'n



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics
Location: del Boca Vista
Elvis
Shuffl'n
PostSat Dec 06, 2008 11:06 pm 
This is my first visit to Snow Lake. Since it's a popular destination and well reported on, I'll spare the unchanging details, but here is the official description. The weather was fantastic from the moment I left the house and I was surprised that there wasn't even a trace of snow at the pass. Surely most of you already know this as the I-90 corridor was seemingly over run with nwhikers based on the trip reports already posted. wave.gif
Pilchuck Morning (along I-5)
Pilchuck Morning (along I-5)
Sunrise and Rainier (along I-5)
Sunrise and Rainier (along I-5)
December 6, 2008:  No Snow at Alpental
December 6, 2008: No Snow at Alpental
The descent down to Snow Lake has lots of ice so we were glad to have Stabilicers and Yak Trak with us to minimize the slippage. Others were envious. We enjoyed the typical views from the trail that most people see on a sunny day:
Tree and distant lake
Tree and distant lake
Snow Lake in sunny December
Snow Lake in sunny December
Waterfall and ice alongside trail
Waterfall and ice alongside trail
Across Snow Lake
Across Snow Lake
Frozen Waterfall
Frozen Waterfall
Frozen Tarn - or Glenda?
Frozen Tarn - or Glenda?
Grey Jay (on my pole)
Grey Jay (on my pole)
Toward Alpental and I-90
Toward Alpental and I-90
Pika above Source Lake
Pika above Source Lake
We also came across a few surprises: 1) Looks like the third little pig may not have fared as well as originally reported.
I guess the third little pig didn't fare so well after all
I guess the third little pig didn't fare so well after all
Really though, what's the story behind this structure? I'm curious. 2) We spotted this "Prayer Tree" a short ways after the trail junction. What's the story with this thing? Again, just curious.
Prayer Tree?
Prayer Tree?
3) While trying to take a picture of a frozen waterfall, Glinda, the good witch kept interrupting us.
Glenda the Good Witch Arrives from Oz
Glenda the Good Witch Arrives from Oz
4) We caught this guy sunning himself in the lake. liar.gif
Cousin of Loch Ness Monster?
Cousin of Loch Ness Monster?
8buck and I took the trail to the lake, poked around, headed back up the ridge, found the old trail (or some old trail) and followed it until it was lost in the snow, returned to the ridge, descended to the trail junction, headed off to the Source Lake overlook, took a break and headed back to the car. All in all it was a great day on the trail. Happy Trails to all, and to all a good hike. ~E

"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden My Trip List
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking



Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics
Location: 77 miles from Seattle!
EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
PostSat Dec 06, 2008 11:44 pm 
Great trip report and photos!! up.gif up.gif Nice to see Snow Lake finally melted out from 07-08' winter. lol.gif lol.gif lol.gif Now where is the 08-09 winter????? confused.gif confused.gif

YouTube | SummitPost Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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garyt
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Joined: 16 Jul 2007
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Location: Canada
garyt
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PostSat Dec 06, 2008 11:48 pm 
Tibetan Prayer flags are often found in beautiful places, especially in the mountains (reflections of Tibet, perhaps). No special occasion required, just an opportunity to promote peace, compassion, and wisdom.

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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
PostSun Dec 07, 2008 1:11 am 
December and Snow Lake still isn't freezing. Amazing.

“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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peltoms
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Joined: 13 Jul 2006
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Location: Worcester MA
peltoms
Member
PostSun Dec 07, 2008 5:02 am 
I had not thought of the break that Pika and Marmots are getting with the lack of snowcover to date. I have never seen a December Pika before. up.gif

North Cascade Glacier Climate Project: http://www.nichols.edu/departments/glacier/
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Go Jo
of the lykkens



Joined: 08 Jun 2003
Posts: 2248 | TRs | Pics
Location: Around The Bend
Go Jo
of the lykkens
PostSun Dec 07, 2008 10:22 am 
Elvis wrote:
Frozen Tarn - or Glenda?
Frozen Tarn - or Glenda?
great picture, fun title

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kevino
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Joined: 12 Mar 2008
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Location: the burg
kevino
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PostTue Dec 09, 2008 12:37 pm 
where exactly is that waterfall? on the trail? by the lake?

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Josh Journey
a.k.a Josh Lewis



Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 4830 | TRs | Pics
Josh Journey
a.k.a Josh Lewis
PostTue Dec 09, 2008 4:14 pm 
Elvis wrote:
Grey Jay (on my pole)
Grey Jay (on my pole)
Nice bird shot! biggrin.gif

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polarbear
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Joined: 16 Dec 2001
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Location: Snow Lake hide-away
polarbear
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PostTue Dec 09, 2008 5:06 pm 
This is as clear a picture of the creature as I've seen. I'm waiting for someone to get in there with that new Nikon 25 megapixel camera.
Note how it is swimming towards the South end of the lake. It is probably dinner time. Definitely not a good time to be dipping one's toes in the lake, though who would at this time of year?

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stacymarie
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Joined: 22 Jul 2008
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Location: Seattle, WA
stacymarie
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PostTue Dec 09, 2008 5:17 pm 
I've seen the question asked so many times, but does anyone have any idea what the deal is with that structure? Great pics, by the way!

life is short, but sweet for certain my website: www.lostintheecotone.com
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wamtngal
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wamtngal
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PostTue Dec 09, 2008 5:52 pm 
From what I've heard, before Snow Lake was in the ALW, it was just someone's private cabin...years and years ago.

Opinions expressed here are my own.
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hermes
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hermes
Member
PostTue Dec 09, 2008 6:40 pm 
Many years ago a ranger doing restoration work up there told me it used to belong to the Bullitt family (yes, another of their country retreats) of King TV fame.

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Elvis
Shuffl'n



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics
Location: del Boca Vista
Elvis
Shuffl'n
PostTue Dec 09, 2008 10:41 pm 
Thanks everyone for the comments, feedback and info on the cabin. Kevino - that waterfall is to your left when you first come down the ridge to the lake. Following the trail about 50 feet past the cabin remains you can turn left and reach the lake shore... falls are to the left. It wouldn't surprise me if there is some sort of worn trail to their base, but it wasn't obvious with the few inches of snow in that area. ~E

"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden My Trip List
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Hiker Mama
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Joined: 25 Jun 2006
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Hiker Mama
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PostWed Dec 10, 2008 10:41 am 
Good to see you getting out, Elvis. You picked a nice trip!

My hiking w/ kids site: www.thehikermama.com
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raz2sea
Daddy RAZ



Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1060 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
raz2sea
Daddy RAZ
PostWed Dec 10, 2008 12:25 pm 
Cool, was wondering about the remnants of that cabin from my trip a few weeks ago.

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