June 12-13, 2010
Lake Lillian
Location:
Snoqualmie Pass-Snoqualmie Pass, Cle Elum Ranger District
Guide books and Maps:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Pass (Nelson & Bauer-Mountaineers Books)
Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass No. 207
Current Conditions:
As of June 13th the lake is 80% frozen over and the surrounding area was snow bound. There was snow as low as just past the burn pile as described below. Once into the trees the snow didn’t start again to 3/4 of the way up to Trail #1332. My best estimate is that the snow started around 4200′. The areas without snow were slightly wet but not bad at all. Camping at the lake would be on snow.
Getting there:
Take I-90 to the Hyak/Gold Creek exit. Turn left under the highway, then turn right after the West bound on ramp onto Road 4832. Follow Road 4832 until you reach Road 136. The turn is on the left on the second tight right hand switch back . Road 136 had one major wash out on it but it was passable. Other than that it was very tight and had some pot holes. Don’t take this way if you don’t want your car to get scratched.
After about a mile or so you’ll come to a fork in the road after a slight descent. You want to go right and go another few tenths of a mile to where the road does a 180 to the right. Park here and the trail is right in the back of the parking lot over a small berm.
The trail starts like the road, tight. It opens up once then it’s back into the brushes. Next you’ll enter a small burn pile of old stumps. Head straight through this area and back into some brush. Not more than 50′ later you want to drop down and cross the stream to your left. The trail takes you across right where two streams meet. You then hike the rest of the way between the two streams. The one on your left offers beautiful views of two large water falls.
The trail is steep and not on the actually green trails map. If there is snow as you get towards the ridge you’ll want to stay to the right skirting the slide that contains the stream on the right. This unmarked trail you’ve hiked up from the parking area will bring you right to where Trail #1332 comes in from the East before it drops down to Lake Lillian. From there you can follow Trail #1332.
See my video located under the hike section or my photos from the trip at Flickr.
Scatman
Get Out There!
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!