Talapus and Olallie Lakes Hike
Distance: 4 miles roundtrip (to Olallie); we hiked around 3 miles total due to snow.
Elevation Gain: 1220 ft
EF Rating: easy
JJ Rating: easy--great starter hike.
Jellybeans: 14 each. First hike of the season.....
Highlights: snow, lake, mud
Lowlights: too much snow and we had to turn around. no real path around the lake, so some frustration in wishing we could get to the other side.
Comments: This is an easy hike that is suitable for most ability levels. There were kids of all ages and tons of dogs on the trail. Most of the trail to the first lake (Talapus) is a gentle uphill--enough to get your heart pumping, but nothing that requires rests or too much complaining. Lots of switchbacks, a creek with snow pack melt rushing by, and a very well-maintained trail. We were surprised by the amount of snow above Talapus Lake. The area was completely covered in several feet of packed snow and the trail was only visible as muddy footprints. About a half mile up we decided it was best to turn around---we don't know the trail and had no gaiters, trekking poles or gloves. Volunteer rangers on the trail told us that the snow pack melt is about one month late, so most of the trails still have some snow. We will try this one again later in the summer.
Early season hiking offers strange combinations of snow, flowers and moss.
Some variety of trillium, I think.
The payoff for all of those switchbacks--Talapus Lake!
Snow hiking! The snow was deep enough past Talapus Lake that we eventually gave up and turned around. The boys loved all of the snow and mud.
Happy Scruff-Puff!
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