John Guilford's Hikes

Lake Valhalla/Mt. McCausland on 2025-09-23

Date: 2025-09-23

Location: Lake Valhalla/Mt. McCausland

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

			  	Alt.	Miles
Trailhead:		9:10	4000	0
PCT:			9:50	4650	1.5
Lake Valhalla:		11:00	4840	3.7
Leave:			11:35	
Mt. McCausland Trail:	12:00	5100	4.3
Mt. McCausland:		12:30	5740	5.0
Trailhead:		2:30		8.6

We went to Lake Valhalla from the Smithbrook Trailhead. About 4 miles east of Stevens Pass on highway 2, head north on Rainy Creek Rd/NF 67 for 2.7 miles to the trailhead. The road was in very good shape.

The day was very smokey due to wildfires in eastern WA. The winds were from the east funneling the smoke into the valleys and passes of the Cascades. We hoped it wouldn't be too bad on the trail, but the sky looked ominous on the drive there.

I thought it would be chillier than it turned out to be. I started the hike with a t-shirt under a long sleeve shift, but not too far in I took off the long sleeve shirt and just wore the t-shirt the rest of the hike.

The hike initially switchbacks up the side of the valley, but the grade was pleasant (not too steep) and the trail was in fine condition. The trail eventually joins up with the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). We turned left towards the lake.

The trail slowly climbs reaching a saddle above the lake at 5100 feet. Here a side trail goes off towards Mt. McCausland. We continued, dropping down to the lake. At the lake we met some campers who had planned to do the Enchantments but had to change their plans due to the wild fires.

The lake was pretty, but the smoke limited the views. According to the campers, the smoke really came in about 3am the previous night. I didn't think it was too bad where we were. We had blue sky above, but looking outwards you definitely saw the hazy smoke.

After lunch we headed back. About half our group decided to take the side hike to Mt. McCausland while the other half waited below picking blueberries which were rather plentiful.

The first half of the trail up Mt. McCausland wasn't bad, but then it really steepens and becomes a grind with grades of 30-40%.

At the top of the climb the trail goes north a bit along the ridge. This was relatively flat and welcome after the climb up the hill.

The trail ends about 50 feet from the true summit. You can bushwack over to the slightly higher true summit where there is a book to sign. I didn't bother but a few of the others went over there.

The trip back down the hill wasn't as bad as I thought it might be when I was going up. We met up with the blueberry pickers and then waited for the rest of our group to come down (after going to the true summit).

We then headed back down to the trailhead. The bottom quarter mile of the trail was pretty wet, with water running down the trail. Just above this section, the trail gets very close to the road. On the way down, I opted to take the road and keep my shoes dry rather than finishing on the official trail. This was also marginally faster.

I think we ended up doing okay regarding the smoke. It wasn't too bad for us, though it was definitely present. It was worse down at Stevens Pass and in the valley to the west.