Trailhead sign
The trailhead for Talapus Lake and the lake above it, Ollalie, is 50 miles from home for us. Because it is close to the city it is one of the more popular hikes. A Forest Service Pass is required. The trail is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, a high alpine area with over 50 lakes of varying sizes situated between Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes in the Cascade Mountain Range. Each lake is a gem and each one is a little different. Most of the lakes are too far and have too much elevation gain for us to attempt in a day hike. There were already 8 cars in the parking area when we arrived. There is an older small outhouse at the trailhead and a back-country toilet at the lake where camping is permitted. We spent considerable time looking for the sign and location of the back country toilet. The lake beach area is for day use only and is a nice place to have lunch.
Mud pit and rocks
Talapus Lake from our lunch spot
We have hiked this trail 4 or 5 times now, but not since 2018. This time we had a couple of goals, one was to get at least 1000 ft elevation gain and the other was to do 5 miles roundtrip. That would mean hiking to both Talapus and Ollalie Lakes. I think we have been here in mid-summer and fall but not in spring when the snow is still melting. The trailhead is at 2600 ft, Talapus is at 3264 and Ollalie Lake is 3785. Trail crews have been working on the first section of the trail and there are indications that they are planning on working the entire trail, i.e., there were the orange bags with sand/gravel, and some cut wood alongside the trail in places. Currently there are plenty of rocks, roots, mud pits, melting snow, and old snow in places especially as one climbs upward. Just before reaching Talapus Lake we found snow on the trail. It was slippery but the trail was visible just ahead of the snow, and it was fairly easy to cross using a trekking pole for safety. There is a brand-new bridge crossing the creek. There is just too much mud everywhere due to the melting snow.
More snow
Tiny garter snake
From Talapus onward the trail deteriorates and the rocks, mud, and roots multiply. There were more snow fields covering more of the trail. We met people coming down from Ollalie and asked one couple if there was much snow ahead. The answer was yes, the trail disappears completely under a snow field but it was possible to walk across the snow following in the footsteps of others. One woman said it took them about 5 to 10 minutes to cross the snow. Bob estimated that meant it was probably ¼ or more of a mile of a snow field. She added that right at Ollalie Lake there was no snow but the surrounding area still had snow. It was slow going, relatively steep, lots more mud, many large rocks to step over or around, running water in small streams to walk through or hop rocks over, and several switchbacks. We made the decision to turn back after reaching 1050 ft elevation gain and encountering another fairly large snow patch covering the trail ahead. No bugs, no bears, no cougars, two chipmunks and one tiny garter snake. Plenty of birdsong. The round trip for us ended up being 4.5 miles
Trillium
Marsh marigold
Coralroot
Skunk Cabbage
Columbine
A 4.5 mile RT with 1050 ft elevation gain
Count for the day: 37 people including one baby being carried, 1 dog.
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