[Opus]

First off let me say I went beyond my comfort zone on this one, I should not have gone here, at least not today. Due to miscommunications I ended up heading down Hwy2 with no particular destination in mind. I wanted to get out somewhere but couldn't think what else I hadn't done within a reasonable drive. I ended up turning off to the Lake Serene trailhead since I hadn't been up there in nigh until three years. The trail was more or less as I remembered it - rocky, mossy, and eroded. There was a layer of thin slushy snow over the roadway that made walking in a straight line difficult. I picked my way carefully over the few creek crossings and here the snow was more hard-pack to make for easier walking. I could see fresh boot prints ahead of me which helped me avoid the post-hole traps between stairs and rocks. So many blow downs! I lost count of how many. Many small ones, little ankle-biter trees to step over, and an equal number of large ones to climb over, around, and through. Several could be rolled off the trail with a few people and some leverage but a few will need to be sawed. One fell lengthwise along the trail about half way up. Another frightening one is a large stump that uprooted and fell over, dangling over the trail suspended by one of its large roots. Nearing the lake, but still in the trees, I encountered the two others heading down. I asked them how the open slope was. They told me fine, just put on snowshoes. They'd followed tracks across and now there was a packed trail. I bid them good-day and put on my snowshoes, walking to the edge of the trees. I'd checked the forecast for today, and had an idea what to expect, but I still wanted to be sure. I found a safe spot and dug a test pit, finding the slide point. It was very difficult to make anything slide. I also couldn't see anything overhanging the slope, no snow bombs on the trees, and the snow was quite compacted. I went for it, and made it across. It's been some time since I was here, so I thought that was the worst of it. Not. The next section was shorter, but at a higher angle. I didn't want to chance that, so I headed straight up-slope in the trees. I popped out in a field of big rocks with an excellent view of Index and a peek-a-boo view of Serene. Right then the clouds parted and the sun broke through - and started shining right on the slope. Then it hit me - what am I doing up here? I'd consider myself a pretty conservative hiker, especially regarding avy danger, but here I was up by Index and now I had to cross back over a long open slope in the bright warm sun. After berating myself a bit for this moment of horrendous judgement I backtracked down and gingerly made my way across the slope again before things destabilized. It didn't help anything that I'd started reading "White Cascade" the night before. By the time I crossed back my legs were noodles. I stopped in the trees and ate my sandwich for some energy - I dont think I even tasted it. Now I was full of nervous energy and I made quick time down even with the slick conditions. I ran into several others, none well equipped or with snowshoes, and I gave them some info, implying that it would be best to not continue on. Before I knew it I was at the fall junction. I still had too much nervous energy so I hoofed it up to the falls to burn some off. With such warm temperatures I'd expected them to be bigger but they were still pretty. Descending back I saw a dirty brown track, fairly wide, across my boot prints. While I was admiring the falls a large rock had slid down and across the trail. Something doesn't want me on this mountain. So. I hesitated to post the details of this trip. I'm sure many are reading shaking their heads. It was certainly a lapse in judgement on my part. Was it safe to cross or not? I guess I'll never know. All I can say is I got a bad feeling about it, and eventually came to my senses - better late than never.

Shaky bridge

Icicles

Ferns

Hanging stump

Index

Turning back

The falls

Hiding mushroom

Heybrook ridge (?)

Lake Serene-ish trip photos

[the Zachster]

You have to go with your head AND your gut...you did both. Glad you had a safe and interesting trip. Thanks for reminding us all to be careful out there!

[touron]

I like the mushroom shot!

[Elvis]

Excellent report & great choices Opus! Glad you had a safe outing. Sharing your scenario, circumstances and reasoning is great food for thought for anyone contemplating a winter outing. People of all skill levels make poor judgements because they may be too focused on destination-bagging or refuse to accurately read (or simply ignore) the facts of the current conditions. Earlier this year I visited this same trail (for my first time) on a solo trip and went up toward the falls at the junction. I had some concerns about crossing that open slope (where your rock fell I assume) but did it anyway. A short while later there was a short switchback and I thought that the trail was going to cross it once again. After considering my situation, I retreated and turned around. After crossing the slope on the return trip I paused again to deliberate - realizing that I was probably being ultra-conservative in my decision to turn around. The falls had to be just minutes away and the slope really wasn't in any condition to slide (near as I could tell anyway - this was a week before my first avalanche class). I took a couple mintues to consider if I was too focused on reaching the destination and was ignoring the real conditions. Finally I reconsidered my retreat and turned around for the second time. I was simply being too conservative. When I reached my original turn around point it became clear that the trail didn't cross the slope like I expected and minutes later I was at the falls. An uneventful return trip. My trip report excluded this internal drama I experienced but I'm glad you provided a good opportunity for me to share my thought process in a similar situation. Happy Trails ~E

[Elvis]

PS - nice Fern shot!

[Grizzy]

Well I for one am glad that you posted this report, it reminds me/us to "stop and think" ....sometimes I do very little of the "thinking" while I'm slogging.....I may be thinking up a storm, but I'm miles away from where I actually am physically. I was in the the Lake Serene parking lot Sunday too, and decided not to go up the trail. It would have been nice to say "hi" oh well!