Warning: The trail to Lake Serene is getting crowded, fast

Last week I did the Lake Serene route near Index, Washington. I started at 6 AM on a Wednesday and still passed over 20 people on the way up. Three years ago, you could hike that whole thing and maybe see five other groups. The parking lot was half empty by 9 AM back then. Now, the main lot is full by 7:30, and people are parking a mile down the road. It's a great trail, but the sheer number of people is starting to wear on the path itself. I saw new erosion spots near the big waterfall that weren't there last fall. Has anyone found a good, less-packed alternative route in the Central Cascades with similar payoff?

2 comments

2 Comments

sethp269d ago

Damn, I used to think crowding wasn't a big deal but that erosion changed my mind.

hunt.shane9d ago

Wait but what if that erosion was gonna happen anyway? Crowding might not be the main thing causing it.