Alpine Lakes Wilderness #23 - Snoqualmie Mountain

"This trail sucks," is what I told a couple just starting their ascent as I was eagerly ending my hike. If you haven't done a hike which climbs 3100 feet in just 1.6 miles, it is difficult to understand how challenging this trail actually is. There is no relief in either the ascent or the descent. On the way up, my heart pounded and dripped with sweat. On the way down, I stepped careful down as my knees ached trying not to fall.

As I hiked up the trail, I passed three people in two groups both carrying packs to suggest they were training for Rainier, or some other challenging route. I did not see them on my return. They also turned back. I made it as far as I could today which was the one mile mark. At that point, I looked upward to the trail that remained and assessed my physical state and made the wise decision to turn back.

I am not sure I would attempt this hike again. I would need to be in much better shape and much more preparred.