Lake Serene

Hike: Lake Serene
Distance:  7.2 miles round trip
Time: 4 1/2 hours
Elevation Gain:  2000 feet
Difficulty:  Hard
Potties:  Yes (at parking and near top)
Pass required:  NW Forest Pass

I hiked to Lake Serene yesterday with my friend Suzy.  This hike is a just off of Highway 2 a little bit past Gold Bar.

The first couple of miles were medium in difficulty, but once you reached mile 2, the rocky and steep switchbacks started.  I wouldn't recommend this hike for children under 5, and anyone with balance issues.

Look how clear the water is

There were even a couple of skinny dippers there, but I didn't take a pic:)

I took a couple more pictures along the way.

The last couple of miles looked like this.  Steep and rocky.

Here is Suzy walking on the bridge right before the lake.

Photo courtesy of Suzy:)  Me showing my upper arm strength.

This hike is a must do.  At around mile 2, there is also an option to turn off and hike a 1/2 mile to Bridal Veil Falls, which we didn't have time for today, but you can read about here.  It is definitely worth seeing.

All in all a great hike and a good challenge.  I will be making this trek again for sure and leave myself more time to linger at the lake.

To get to the trailhead, travel east on Highway 2  from Monroe, WA. At milepost 35.2, about 21 miles east of Monroe, turn right onto Mount Index Road (Forest Road 6020 - gravel). Travel 0.3 mile on Forest Road 6020 and branch right onto Forest Road 6020-109 (gravel) follow the sign that says Lake Serene. The trailhead parking is just ahead.