In June, a Little Snow will Fall

Stuart Lake, 6/7/08, 8 miles, 1500 elevation

Snow was forecast for the Cascade passes for the 1st weekend in June. Snow! In June! Unbelievable! But our CHS hike leader was one jump ahead of the forecast by planning a hike to Lake Stuart in eastern Washington. We could go farther and higher as the snow was rapidly melting from the mountainous areas outside of Leavenworth. Lake Stuart would be our destination.

Even as we started out, we noticed that the snow had not been long from even the trailhead. Ferns and shrubs were just beginning to spring back from the oppressive weight of the winter snows. But there along the trail sprouting happily in preparation of blossoms were Queen's Cup leaves. A short way further tender pink Lady Slippers gleamed in the filtered sunlight.

The trail follows the creek all the way to the lake and we stopped for a short breathe where the trail crosses it on a nice sturdy bridge. Later we stopped again at the trail junction with Colchuck Lake. We seemed to be going at a more casual pace this trip and were able to enjoy each other's company more than on a few of the other trips I had been on.

It was just beyond the junction when the forest opened up into a wide meadow with Dragontail Peak and breaking clouds just beyond. Cameras were pulled out so we could each capture this lovely scene before continuing on. Snow still clinging to winter and the trail slowed our progress just before we reached Stuart Lake and our lunch spot. And it was here that our day became interesting.

Although we had been hiking in the sun for most of the way, in the lake basin clouds gathered and a cold stiff wind swept off the lake. It felt like winter. Just as we finished up lunch and were pulling out our remaining layers to bundle up more, the snow started fluttering down around us. It was definitely time to head back. Then, sure enough, 1/4 mile down the trail the clouds broke apart and we had to peel off the layers as we heated up.

I think the latest I had ever been snowed upon was the year I spent my birthday (August) on the top of Mt Evans in Colorado (a 14er). While this definitely won't be the latest, it will be a trip I won't easily forget - and not just because of the weather.