Lake Serene — Local services in Carnation

This hike was well worth the 27 switchbacks that it took to get there.

Round trip you’re looking at about an 8 mile hike (depends if you stop off at Bridal Veil Falls).

The hike is easy to moderate up until you pass the turn off to the falls and then come to a smaller waterfall. This is a good point to rest before the hike turns to switchbacks, 27 of them.

Once you start the ascent their is some amazing scenery all the way up to Lake Serene. When you get to the top there is a left turn off that leads to the restroom just before heading down to the lake.

When you get to the lake there is a path that leads you west and stops at Lunch Rock. That is as far as you can and should go.

If you have the desire to try and reach the other side of the lake please do so with extreme caution as there isn’t a path AND there can be an occasional rock slide as I witnessed when arriving at the lake.

Fishing is just okay with a fly and is best towards the east side of the lake where you first come in.

I would hike this again and again. It’s a beautiful hike!

Remember, IF YOU PACK IT IN, PACK IT...

Beyond beautiful and definitely worth the hike up! Be prepared as this is roughly a 3,500ft elevation gain according to the trails map clocking us today. It took us roughly 2 hours and 45 min to get to Lake Serene with a few stops to take a breather and rest. This climb is tougher than some reviews lead on. Hiking shoes are a must. There are lots of rock boulders and wood stairs on this climb. The hike past Bridal Veil Falls to Lake Serene is truly the hard part of the journey, but it’s beyond worth it once you make it. Definitely pack water and snacks as you will get thirsty and need the energy to head back. It only took us 1 hour 45 min to get down so overall a total of roughly 4.5 hours round trip not including time spent at Lake Serene. I wouldn’t suggest starting this hike past 2pm as it will get darker in the forest quicker and you do not want to be making the hike down those rock boulders in the dark. Have fun, be safe and remember what you pack in, make sure...

Started our day at 9AM and we were actually the first car in the parking lot. Right from the first half mile there was a good bit of ice to deal with. Started out the day with just my poles but made the decision to put those on the way down from Bridal Veil Falls. Would highly recommend putting your spikes on before you start going up to Bridal Veil, it was very slick and there was a good chunk of snow. The hike up to Lake Serene was pretty straight forward and the spikes did there job the whole time. Once you get to the last half mile there is A LOT of snow right now and seems like it could potentially be dangerous here in the near future. Spent about 15 minutes at the lake and had it all to myself. Only saw 6 others on the trail today. Round trip 8.8 miles and 2,808 feet...