Bridal Veil Falls & Lake Serene

Location: North Cascades - Highway 2
Length: 10.6 miles roundtrip, including Bridal Veil Falls
Elevation: Gain/2000 ft. Highest/2521 ft.
Difficulty: Slightly severe
Time: 6 hours

 

The WTA website advises the hike as 7.2 miles roundtrip just to Lake Serene and 8.2 miles roundtrip if you're including Bridal Veil Falls. Yeah, no. It's 10.6 miles roundtrip for the whole enchilada. I rated this as slightly severe due to the circumstances; it was muddy and slippery and then the lake was completely fogged in, and THAT was a severe blow to my child-like anticipation to see this infamously gorgeous lake to kick-start the season! I invited my aunt from Seattle to go hiking with me and this was her first time. Since I had never been on this hike before...I felt just awful after putting her through this brutal trek for a completely fogged-in lake!

What Lake Serene actually looks like versus the "prize view" we saw today.

Go to the falls on your way up as they are well worth the 1 mile detour. Pictures just do not do them
justice...

Yeah...not so sure on the accuracy of this sign... 

 

It probably took us 3 hours to reach Lake Serene and we did not even venture to the valley overlook since everything was fogged in. I'm not sure how much further of a distance that would have added.

Needless to say, the are many other aspects to enjoy on this hike. You'll see some legitimate old-growth. The trail was maintained very well for being so muddy and still pretty early in the season. Gorgeous boardwalks, stairs, and bridges allowed for brief breaks from the otherwise rocky and slippery trail. There are plenty of creeks to provide a refreshing breeze. The falls themselves have a ton of boulders nearby to explore and find a good spot for a nice misting. Please be careful with your little ones, including pups!  

There are plenty of places to plop down and enjoy your lunch up at the lake. I'd recommend hiking early or going on a week day as this hike is very popular and was pretty crowded even on a misty, overcast day. Doggies are allowed and in the hot months there are plenty of sources to hydrate. Unfortunately, no camping is allowed anywhere near the lake. I saw a fair amount of litter on this hike and wish people would respect the hard work put into maintaining these trails and preserving these pieces of wilderness.

 

This makes sense, especially during hot, dry months...

 

To get to the trailhead, head about 7 miles past Goldbar toward Stevens Pass and right before you cross the Skykomish River bridge, turn right onto Mt. Index Rd. and the clearly signed Serene Lake trailhead will not be much further up on the right.

On the way to the valley overlook.