Unlike myself.
I decided to hike up to Surprise Lake to kick off summer vacation and as per usual, it did not disappoint. I have hiked this trail a dozen times and it still makes my heart happy. Even with a ton of downed trees to navigate.
Trip reports had warned me that there would be trees over the trail but I knew it couldn’t be worse than 2021 when we arrived at Surprise Lake for the last night of our backpacking trip to find a landslide of trees completely blocking the trail around the lake.
My first stop along US SR 2 was a bathroom break at Deception Falls, at 8 am I was the first to arrive so I also added a walk down to the falls! The lower loop hike was closed but I was just looking for a short visit anyway.
I was also the first to arrive at the Surprise Creek trailhead and it was empty, I had imagined at least one overnight car but alas, no. Would I have the lake to myself?? I was sad to see the picnic table is no longer there but I guess that makes room for one more car in the tiny parking lot. Because I used the facilities at Deception Falls, I did not need to use the pit toilet box thankfully. I hear it is a little cattywampus right now.
If you haven’t hiked the Surprise Creek Trail before, it is a fairly standard 4.5 mile trail following the creek and ultimately ending at Surprise Lake. It has several log crossings and switchbacks in the second half. It is also avalanche prone so the trail crosses open meadowed sections where scree commonly cascades down from the cliffs above.
It is recognizable in pictures because of its many puncheon stairs in the beginning, no matter how often I hike it I can’t help but take at least one picture.
There are indeed quite a few trees/limbs over the trail: 2 before the wilderness sign and 13 after that. I was thankful to whomever limbed them all, making it easier for hikers. Definitely not stock-friendly, here are just a few I had to climb over, duck under.
Starting at 8:30am meant that I was mostly in the shade for the switchbacks and the dewy foliage was refreshing in places that it crowded the trail. Bunchberry dogwood and queen’s cup were prolific and no berries yet, sadly.
This hike also has some great views of the surrounding peak,s like Surprise and Sparkplug.
Arriving at the lake around 11am, I did have it to myself! Taking the trail around the water’s edge to the day use area brought back memories of having to navigate it in 2021 after the landslide that brought down all the trees along this section, what an adventure that was.
I hung my hammock and was able to enjoy the lake (and silence) until about 12:30 when another group of hikers arrived.
I took that as my sign to pack up and head back down the trail which turned out to be wise timing as my hike out passed about 10 other groups, including dogs not on leashes. I had forgotten about the wildfire that had come close to the lake but it was obvious on my departure. I imagine this will lead to even more rockslides over time.
I felt bad for these folks as they had to do the switchbacks up in the hot sun! The only plus side is that at this time of the day, the butterflies are doing their thing in abundance in the meadowed avalanche sections.
Overall my trip was 8 hours but quite a leisurely way to kick off summer. Now to make plans for other hikes along US SR 2 that I have not visited in a few years!
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Perfect way to start summer, quiet morning, empty trail, and then that rewarding “lake all to myself” moment 😊 Even with the fallen trees and switchbacks, it still seems like Surprise Lake lives up to its name every time.
Also love how nature always throws in something extra like butterflies or old landslide reminders along the way. Hope your next US SR 2 hikes bring just as many peaceful miles!
What a pretty hike! And interesting sock pattern with the garter stitch toe.
The garter stitch heel I love, the toe not so much (it’s fiddly to knit) so I just do a regular stockinette for that part.