Suitable Activities: Day Hiking; Seasons: June, July, August, September, October However, the Stevens Pass route is longer, while the Smithbrook route is more kid-friendly. DIFFICULT 3.2 mi. There are lots of huckleberries in the meadows along this trail.Pass over the gap and descend to Lake Valhalla. Sidetrip. 3.5 miles east of the pass, 100 yards after the highway divides there is a well-marked left turn for Forest Service Road 6700. McCausland. The trailhead is 2.5 miles up Road 6700. The trailhead has an ample parking area off Forest Service Road 67. As the rail bed section of the trail ends, head away from the noise of Highway 2 and into a series of meadows. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Skykomish Ranger District, Buy the Green Trails Benchmark Mtn No. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike 4.0 International License. Mount mcCausland (5,747 ft) From Smith Brook Trailhead, it's 6.5 miles round trip and 1,800 feet of elevation gain. Sandy beaches at the lake (great during summer months). Smithbrook Trailhead is a trailhead. Follow the Smithbrook Trail until it runs into the PCT. The open meadows and surrounding mountains near Lake Valhalla's basin make for Two gentlemen came through but camped elsewhere; they had attempted to drive up Smithbrook Road to get to the trail via Union Gap, but Smithbrook … ... Lake Valhalla. From the trailhead, hike roughly a mile and a half to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. This makes for a 9.9-mile long dayhike for both groups through a wide variety of terrain and views. The trail continues up to Union Gap where it meets the PCT. Be cautious when crossing the west bound lanes of Hwy 2 onto 6700. The parking area for Stevens Pass is just 3.5 miles past the turnoff for Smithbrook. It climbs steadily on variously moderate and steep switchbacks to Union Gap and the PCT junction (1.3 miles : 4,610'). Access Lake Valhalla. 3. At the first U turn area, flip around so you are now headed back up toward Stevens Pass. Mt. From Stevens Pass, drop east down the pass. This tree was too big to cut with a crosscut saw so it was cleared using blasting. Heading up to Lake Valhalla. Valhalla is also accessible from the Smithbrook Trailhead, a shorter route with less climbing. Mountaineers Books. This route is 10 miles roundtrip and offers 1000 feet of elevation gain.WTA Pro Tip: Thru-hike the trails to Lake Valhalla using a key swap! The quicker route is via the Smithbrook trailhead. The Stevens Pass - Pacific Crest Trailhead (N) is located on the north side of Highway 2 on Stevens Pass, oppostite the Stevens Pass Ski Area.The trail begins on the left side of the green-roof building, between it and the fenced-off power station). After you cross the wilderness boundary, keep your eyes peeled for the 8-foot diameter Douglas fir that fell across the trail a few years ago. Smithbrook Trailhead to Lake Valhalla, Chelan County, WA, USA. A modest grade with well-maintained tread, wildflowers, huckleberries, and good views awaits you here. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Peak baggers and view baggers may want to take note that they can scramble up Mount McCausland (5,747 feet) by leaving the main trail leading to Lake Valhalla at the pass above the lake. Lake Valhalla is one of the prime winter day trips in the Stevens Pass area. Washington. You could hike to Lake Valhalla on the PCT from Stevens Pass. Download its GPS track and follow the route on a map. Our approximate route from the Smithbrook Trailhead to Lake Valhalla and the summit of Mt. Dogs are permitted within the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, including the Smithbrook Trail and PCT to Lake Janus and Lake Valhalla. We landed on Mount McCausland and Lake Valhalla just past Steven’s Pass. Photos and trail descriptions of 'Smithbrook Trail - Lake Valhalla - Stevens Pass' and more, submitted by the Outbound community. Then turn right onto Smith Brook Road. We hadn't been to Lake Valhalla before, and the Smithbrook route sounded both shorter and more interesting than the traditional approach via the PCT from Stevens Pass. Resources. Photo by z7. Be cautious when crossing the west bound lanes of Hwy 2 onto 6700. Seasonal Popularity. Total elevation gain: 1500 feet. Located just north of the Stevens Pass Resort and a stone's throw form the Pacific Crest Trail, the lake is accessible to snowshoers of most skill levels, and it sees a good amount of traffic throughout the year. 176 map. Pacific Northwest. Free, self-registration is required at the Smithbrook Trailhead (access for Valhalla (s) and Janus (n) and beyond). Meet in the middle for a picnic at the lake, then swap car keys, and continue on to the trailhead that the other group departed from. DIFFICULT 22.1 mi. The hike is in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. I had an entire large campsite to myself, with a family off in the distance. This trailhead provides access to the Smithbrook Trail #1590 which is a short spur that connects to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 within Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. fs.usda.gov; Poi Info. Drive east through Monroe and onto Hwy 2 east for 58 Miles to Stevens Pass. Discover everything you need to know about Smithbrook Trailhead—a hiking attraction recommended by 2 people on komoot—and browse 2 photos & 1 insider tips. Approaching Lake Valhalla from the Smithbrook trail, the grade is modest, and while there is plenty to look at, the round-trip distance is moderate. Wenatchee Pass via Pacific Crest Trail. To get to the trailhead for Lake Valhalla drive from Stevens Pass on US 2 east for 6 miles and then drive west from Mill Creek for about a mile. Lake Valhalla is a water feature in Putnam County and has an elevation of 607 feet. To access the Smithbrook trailhead, remain on Hwy 2 through Stevens Pass. Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike 4.0 International License. Lake Valhalla is situated northwest of North Highland. Hiked from the Smithbrook trailhead to the lake, with a little jaunt up the hill at the top of the basin. Then turn right on Smithbrook Road/Forest Road 6700 and travel 3 miles to the trailhead. The Smithbrook Trail (#1590) winds under a tall canopy to the HM Jackson Wilderness boundary (.45 miles : 4,220'). Smithbrook Trailhead Smithbrook Trailhead is an accommodation in Washington. This is a beautiful section of trail, providing a good example of what hikers will find if they continue north on the PCT. Approaching Lake Valhalla from the Smithbrook trail, the grade is modest, and while there is plenty to look at, the round-trip distance is moderate. Elevation Profile. At this intersection, take a left (south) and continue southwest for approximately two miles to Lake Valhalla. Pristine meadows near the lake with great colors in the fall. From Leavenworth, WA, take US-2 West for 31 miles. Seattle, WA 98104. About 3.5 miles past Stevens Pass, turn left on Forest Service Road 6700 (be careful crossing westbound traffic on US 2!). You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association Amenities: parking; Hiking Trails (5) 1. If you look carefully, you can see where the railroad switchbacked up from Yodelin. Mount Lichtenberg looms large above as you climb up to the basin where Lake Valhalla is tucked. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, however we found that while visiting the lake, there is a … The trailhead is 2.5 miles up Road 6700. Look for a sign saying Smithbrook Road. The trailhead is 2.5 miles up the road on your left. More than just books: Gear, Apparel & More Shop Rob Shurtleff. From the trailhead, hike roughly one mile to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. 3.5 miles east of the pass, 100 yards after the highway divides there is a well-marked left turn for Forest Service Road 6700. So Blue Towel and I drove the extra four miles east of the pass, turned right on Forest Road 6700 and followed it three miles to the Smithbrook trailhead. Moderate hike with relatively smooth trail. Watch the downhill side and you will see the clearly graded roadbed ascending, although it has lots of trees growing on it now. Lake Valhalla (5,050 ft) From the Pacific Crest Trailhead at Stevens Pass, it's 11 miles round trip and 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Valhalla is a popular destination in winter as well, though the access point and the route are very different; see our Hiking Guide entry for Lake Valhalla Snowshoe for further details on this route. Learn more about our Membership Smithbrook Trail/ Lake Valhalla Hiking trail in Berne, Washington (United States). Michael 5 years, 5 months ago from Lake Valhalla. Directions to Trailhead. The first time we attempted the lake as a snowshoe, we missed the turn-off and wandered up Smithbrook road ultimately turning around without seeing the lake. The lake is a great day hike in summer or fall and accessible by snowshoe in the winter. Lake Valhalla; Felt pretty lucky to eek a sunny fall hike here in late October. Lake Valhalla is located 2.2 miles south of … In summer, there are two ways to access Lake Valhalla, either via the Smithbrook Trail #1590, or from Stevens Pass using a section of the PCT. After conversing with thru-hikers, turn south at Union Gap and climb gently to the gap between Mounts Lichtenberg and McCausland where you get your first glimpse of Lake Valhalla, shining in the cirque below. USA. A recent reworking of the trail starts off with gentle switchbacks. Just before reaching the gap, a boot trail follows the ridge up to an old lookout site at Mount McCausland. Wildflowers abound in early summer, berries in late summer and fall colors make vivid surroundings in autumn. North America. Continue on FS Road 6700 for about 2.5 miles to parking and trailhead. The first mile of the hike is on Smithbrook Trail No. Hikers should consider leaving a mountain bike at Stevens Pass and riding back to the Smith Brook trailhead. A recent reworking of the trail starts off with gentle switchbacks. They are generally friendly and happy to share their stories for a few minutes, particularly if you have some fresh fruit or cookies to share. Smithbrook Trailhead is southeast of Union Peak. To access the Smithbrook trailhead, remain on Hwy 2 through Stevens Pass. Lake Valhalla is a gem, tucked under Lichtenberg Mountain and Mount McCausland on the PCT North of Stevens Pass. Trailhead elevation 3,800 ft Lake Valhalla elevation 4,830 ft Lake Valhalla will probably be accessible as a hike for a bit longer. The mountain and river views at Lake Valhalla make it fun for the whole family. The first mile of the trail is along an old rail bed, used before tunnels were dug to route the railway under Stevens Pass. There is a very pleasant sandy beach, perfect for lunch. 1590. It is a decent size lot. I was excited to revisit the region, as Valhalla and I have a bit of a cursed history. At this intersection, take a left (south) and continue southwest for approximately two miles to Lake Valhalla. Using two groups of hikers, have one group start at Smithbrook and the other at Stevens Pass. Trail Wiki® is a registered trademark of Trail Wiki, a nonprofit organization. The PCT is one of my favorite places to be and I decided to check out the area north of Stevens Pass starting out on the Lake Valhalla Trail from the Smithbrook Trailhead. We got the last two parking spots at the Smithbrook Trailhead (3800'). Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. The first path starts in the Stevens Pass parking lot and is the longer of the two, the other departs from the Smithbrook Trailhead on Forrest Service Road 67 a few. There were only two parking spots left when we got there, but if there are no spots, you can find some parking along the forest road. From Seattle, take I-405 to Hwy 522 in Monroe. There are a number of overnight campsites and a couple of backcountry toilets at the lake, though please note that no campfires are permitted. Consider a two-car shuttle between these convenient trailheads for a fun, nearly equidistant thru-hike: The PCT trailhead is located between the green-roof building and fenced power station on … Sub Area: Valid Parking Permit: Trailhead Amenities: Description: This trailhead provides access to the Smithbrook Trail #1590 which is a short spur that connects to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 within Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. Jim Speaker 4 years, 4 months ago Track (7/31/16, 11:38:58AM) mweagle 5 years, 2 months ago Lake Valhalla Route. State: Washington. The trail continues along the rail bed for another 500 yards or so, where the train was backed in to clear the switchback, before proceeding up and over the pass. Total distance: 7 miles roundtrip. Lake Valhalla Club, in Montville NJ, is a private country club offering members a wealth of activities all year long. We offer something for every member in your family, ranging from tennis, sailing, fine dining, relaxing and more. Smithbrook Trailhead from Mapcarta, the free map. Both routes offer similar elevation gain; the Smithbrook route starts at 3800 feet, just 200 feet lower than the Stevens Pass route. You'll reach the Smithbrook Trailhead in about 2.8 miles. Lake Valhalla Loop via Pacific Crest Trail. Record your own itinerary from the Wikiloc app, upload the trail and share it with the community. Less then a half a mile and 600 feet of climbing are rewarded with a great view of Glacier Peak to the north. Sign in as directed at the trailhead board. The Smithbrook trailhead is 2.7 miles up the road on the left hand side. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 The Smithbrook trailhead is 2.7 miles up the road on the left hand side. 2. The trailhead has an ample parking area off Forest Service Road 67. 144 map, Buy the Green Trails Stevens Pass No. I'd just had some skin cancer removed from my face and the need for wound care cancelled out doing a backpack. 4. Veterans' Day visit to a gorgeous lake. DIFFICULT 13.7 mi. Lake Valhalla: 6.0 miles : 2979 ft : 5,040 ft : 3,900 ft : Country: United States. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. The highway will become divided. Trail was in good shape, though there is plenty of water and mud from the melting snow. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Mount McCausland via Pacific Crest Trail and Smithbrook Trail. Today, I’m appreciating blue skies. From Leavenworth, follow Hwy 2 west to the well-marked turn off for Road 6700, 31 miles west of town. Required Credentials: None. In August and September, you will frequently meet PCT thru-hikers as they head north to Stehekin and the end of their journey at the Canadian Border. Opportunity to hike on the famous Pacific Crest Trail. Astounding lakeside views of Lichtenberg Mountain. The first path starts in the Stevens Pass parking lot and is the longer of the two, the other departs from the Smithbrook Trailhead on Forrest Service Road 67 a few LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — Tucked under a rocky peak is a gem of a mountain lake that lives up to it’s lofty, mythical namesake: Lake Valhalla. Small 4-or 5-inch cutthroat jump along the shore trying to catch the bugs skimming the lake surface.If you're looking for a longer hike, start from the Stevens Pass parking lot on the north side of the highway, behind the power station that feeds the Ski Area. 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