Lake Serene Trail
Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls Trailhead, Mt. Index River Rd., Gold Bar
The double feature of Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene make this 8.2-mile trek one of the most popular hikes in Washington (accordingly, you'll want to get there earlier in the day, as parking fills up quickly and the trail can get crowded). The trailhead itself is about an hour from Seattle—a gorgeous drive that takes you over the Evergreen Point floating bridge and along the Skykomish River. From the trailhead, on the way up to Lake Serene, you'll pass a sign for a lollipop trail that takes you out to Bridal Veil Falls. The diversion will add an extra mile to your total trek, but it shouldn't be missed, as a set of stairs allows views from both above and below the falls themselves. From there, continue climbing until the trail crosses into the basin. You'll be rewarded when you finally arrive at the stunningly clear lake itself, bordered on one side by tall pines and the other by steep grey cliffs leading up to Mt. Index. PSA: Parking requires a Northwest Forest Pass ($30, which you can purchase online). Photos: pixelgerm
