Lake Serene

Lake Serene is a small alpine lake lying at the foot of Mount Index in the Cascades. It is a very popular hike, though a fairly steep trail and a bit over seven miles round trip. We hiked there with the Washington Native Orchid Society looking for a rare orchid, but the hike is worthwhile for its own sake. This was our first view of the lake with the steep sides of Mount Index looming above the lake. There is also a side trail to some beautiful falls, but for lack of time we did not visit the falls. Instead we made our way around the lake as far as we could go, though the trees and across the scree and snow in the picture to the other side. The photo below is from an earlier hike to the lake when the day was not as sunny and beautiful as this. The lake is on the west side of the Cascades near the town of Goldbar and off Highway 2.