[Nancyann]

Coincidentally, the sun happened to be shining on the day Snohomish County PUD opened the South Shore Spada Road to the Greider Lakes trailhead. Thanks for your efforts PUD! I talked to the watershed manager while stopping at Olney Pass, and he gave me some helpful information about trail conditions and creek crossings on the Greider Lakes roadwalk and trail. As expected, some of the creek crossings are somewhat challenging, but my new Zamberlan waterproof boots made fording easy, although several times the water was up to my knees. In anticipation of a massive deluge of snowmelt, PUD has drawn Spada Lake down low.

Spada Lake from the Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

I never get tired of this view up the Sultan River towards Vesper Peak.

The Sultan River and Vesper Peak from the Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Vesper Peak 4/21/17

Elk Creek flows into the Sultan River here, coming from remote Elk Basin, where few people ever venture.

Elk Creek and Vesper Peak from the Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Greider Creek was lovely in the afternoon sun today.

Greider Creek 4/21/17

I enjoyed passing by the stately old growth cedars along the way, amazed at their size.

Along the Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Water was running off the hillside everywhere.

Along the Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

I had a nice peek-a-boo view of Big Four from the upper part of the trail.

Big Four from Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Surprisingly, trail erosion and blowdowns weren't quite as dramatic as last year.

Trail conditions, Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Trail conditions, Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Trail conditions, Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

However, approaching the last mile to the lake, I encountered deep snow covering much of the trail. Thankfully, it was late in the day, and the snow developed a supportive crust. Unfortunately when I did posthole, I sank all the way up to my hip.

Snow on upper Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Snow on upper Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Snow on upper Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Snow on upper Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

Snow on upper Greider Lakes Trail 4/21/17

I left my snowshoes in the car, due to laziness, so when I arrived at Little Greider Lake, I took a few pictures and left, not enjoying postholing and falling into waist deep tree wells. Big Greider Lake would have to wait another day, or month.

Little Greider Lake 4/21/17

Little Greider Lake 4/21/17

Little Greider Lake 4/21/17

Greider Peak 4/21/17

[kitya]

If I remember correctly there is long road walk from the end of the road to the actual trail. How was this road walk part?

[Nancyann]

The roadwalk is 1.9 miles to the actual trailhead and there are 15 berm or tank trap crossings where culverts were removed and creeks are flowing freely. There are two problematical crossings for those who don't want to get their feet wet. The first is a new beaver pond where the creek used to be and is a couple of feet deep. The ranger I talked to actually crossed on the beaver dam itself, but I just forded it. There is a good-sized creek about a half mile further, which is really raging right now. Water was up to my knees and the current was strong, so this could be difficult for dogs.The rocks had a layer of slime on them, making footing slippery. Definitely not safe for children until later in the season.😊

[puzzlr]

Thanks. I like seeing reports for this area. There always seems to be a cloud around access issues and maybe that keeps the number of visits low. Or maybe it's a trail the land owners are doing their best to ignore.