Lake of the Angels: Olympic National Park (Putvin Trail)

Looking NE from Lake of the Angels

In bed I leaned over my left  shoulder to glance at my phone. Crap, its 10am already. I slept in. Its Friday and i have the day off.  Jumping out of bed sunbeams are streaming into my room! It's not raining!!!! Score!!

Quickly my backpack is packed with gear and extra clothing. The civic peels off of the gravel sidewalk and quickly I'm navigating towards the Olympic National Park!
I wanted to try my chances hiking the Lake of the Angels trail, otherwise know as the "Putvin Trail"! I had hiked the trail last September (2014) on a rainy and windy day where low clouds blocked all views that surrounded the lake. But today was clear, cold but clear with barely a cloud in  the sky.

 



Mt Rainier from Hamma Hamma River Valley, el. 3,,500 ft

 

No car was parked in the trail parking lot! Score! Solitude, even though the mountains seem to keep me from being lonely!!
With my running shoes on i cruised up the trail with my boots in my pack expecting snow in the alpine.

Northface of Mt Jefferson

 

Soon running came to a halt and hiking became the norm.

Just above 3,500 feet, the no fire zone, the alpine became visible. An alder meadow presented itself as a creek swiftly flew the meadow. Above the meadow elevation quickly ran straight up allowing waterfalls to fall. One such waterfall was half ice. 

Next the steepest climb began! At a couple points the hike turns into rock climbing where at one point climbing rope has been tied to a tree trunk to pull oneself up. Soon after this, alpine is near and views looking across the hamma hamma river reveal the craggy cliffy ridge of Mt. Jefferson.

 



Jefferson Ridge



 

The trail continued but this time with snow. I decided to not take a break and trudge through with my Adidas running shoes. Deeper and deep it became with about a foot deep at its deepest.The lake was frozen over with exception to the mouth where a fast creek was bubbling.



Lake of the Angels



 

I made it to the lake after sunset which was very disappointing! At least the sky was blue, snow pristine, and the views were capturing!! Worth it the effort!

After switching to the boots and eating some carrots and hummus for a snack the trail was underfoot again.

Darkness came half way down the trail and soon the comfort of the car encompassed me. If only i could do it all over again tomorrow!

 



Frozen pond



 

 



Sunset