WanderingAway.com : Hiking Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls

Washington · June 2014 & July 2017

Hike Summary

Distance:

9.75 miles out and back

Total Elevation Gain:

2,400 ft

Starting Elevation:

570 ft

Highest Point:

2,521 ft

Hike Time:

6 - 7 hrs

Difficulty:

Moderate

Seasons:

April - October

Dogs:

Allowed on Leash

Pass Required:

Northwest Forest Pass

Lake Serene offers dramatic mountain lake scenery with a trailhead located only a little over an hour from Seattle. The hike to Lake Serene is often combined with a short detour to Bridal Veil Falls, an impressive destination by itself.

Most of the trail is under the coverage of dense forest. The start of the hike gains only moderate elevation, and the middle segment is relatively flat. Don't get too comfortable, though—it gets much harder at the base of the mountain leading to Lake Serene.

At just under 2 miles, you have the option of heading up to Bridal Veil Falls. You save a total of only one mile if you choose to skip this part. If you're unsure, you can head straight to Lake Serene and decide whether you have energy to visit the falls on the way back.

Upper area of Bridal Veil Falls

The lower waterfalls next to trail on the way to Lake Serene

The final 1.5 miles of the trail takes you up 1,300 vertical feet of countless switchbacks to the edge of Lake Serene. Just before the final push up to the lake, the trail opens up to a clearing for views of the valley below.

Instead of heading straight towards the lake upon first sight, following the foot path is easier and will lead to a large rock platform which is the best place to catch your breath. The side walls of Mt. Index rise 3,000 feet from the lake's basin, and early summer snow piles on the shore reflect nicely when the water is still.