Warning: The trail to Lake Serene is getting crowded, fast

Last week I did the Lake Serene route near Index, Washington. I started at 6 AM on a Wednesday and still passed over 20 people on the way up. Three years ago, you could hike that whole thing and maybe see five other groups. The parking lot was half empty by 9 AM back then. Now, the main lot is full by 7:30, and people are parking a mile down the road. It's a great trail, but the sheer number of people is starting to wear on the path itself. I saw new erosion spots near the big waterfall that weren't there last fall. Has anyone found a good, less-packed alternative route in the Central Cascades with similar payoff?

3 comments

3 Comments

dakota47916d ago

The horsefly area just below the waterfall is getting worse too, and @sethp26, you're right that some erosion might happen naturally, but all those extra boots crossing the same root systems don't help. For a similar payoff with less crowd, try the Lake Valhalla trail off Stevens Pass. It's about a mile longer round trip but the lake is just as blue, and I saw maybe eight people on a Saturday last August. Another option is the short hike to Heather Lake near Granite Falls. The old growth forest is gorgeous and the parking lot usually has spots even on weekends. Just bring bug spray for Heather Lake.

sethp261mo ago

Damn, I used to think crowding wasn't a big deal but that erosion changed my mind.

hunt.shane1mo ago

Wait but what if that erosion was gonna happen anyway? Crowding might not be the main thing causing it.