John Guilford's Hikes

Lake Valhalla on 2026-08-13

Date: 2026-08-13

Location: Lake Valhalla

People: (including myself): Kathy Loucks, Becki Kennedy, Vicki Backstrom,

			  	Alt.	Miles
Trailhead:		8:45	4000	0
Lake Valhalla:		11:40	4837	6.4
Leave:			12:15
Trailhead		2:40	4000	13

The road into the Smithbrook Trailhead was heavily damaged in last winter's storms. While it was passable, it was too rough for our vehicle. We elected to start from Stevens Pass (ski area) and go in via the PCT. This route is longer with a bit more elevation gain, but it is a pretty route with a nice trail.

The trail starts from the east end of the ski area's parking lot on the north side of highway 2. The trail initially drops a couple hundred feet over 2 miles roughly paralleling highway 2. The trail then turns up a valley and begins climbing. The slope on this part of the trail is rather mild.

Near the head of the valley, the trail starts to climb more, including some switchbacks before cresting a ridge above Lake Valhalla. The trail then descends 200 feet wrapping around to the north side of the lake.

We had lunch there before heading back. Near the low spot in the trail we got a tiny bit of light rain though the sky was blue with clouds.

There was some smoke in the air, but it wasn't very bad. Not as bad as last year.

Pictures:

Lake Valhalla

Bee on spirea at Lake Valhalla

Distant hills from PCT coming back from Lake Valhalla

Please send comments or corrections to johnguilford@yahoo.com
Last updated on: Sat Sep 5 16:32:49 PDT 2026