I’d convinced myself that after ski season, it would be time to take a well-deserved break from the mountains: perhaps a chance to answer my 5,613 unread emails or maybe even clean my shower. Unsurprisingly, these goals were far too ambitious, and the hankering to get back outside returned rather quickly. As the foothills have melted out, I’ve gradually increased the elevations of my daily excursion to follow the receding snow upslope. Today I decided to leave from the Mission Ridge Base Area to check out the Lake Clara Trail – my first adventure at The Ridge since Closing Day on April 27th. I was curious to see whether spring had yet sprung on this 3-mile-roundtrip trail that winds through the forests beneath Mission Peak to its namesake lake, and by the end of the hike my conclusion was: sort of.
The lower half of the trail is nearly snow-free and boasts an abundance of early-season flowers; carpets of glacier lilies and western trilliums adorn the forest floor, while the larches have just begun to sprout tender new needles, making for some joyous springtime scenery.
Meanwhile, the upper half of the trail retains intermittent snow patches that have begun to form a monorail (the colloquial name for the raised bridge of packed snow that occurs when the compacted snow on the trail melts more slowly than the surrounding snowpack, eventually resulting in a raised ‘rail’). Fortunately, this means the snow is well-trodden up to Lake Clara, so there’s little risk of postholing (sinking into the snow) if you stick the path. The trail from Lake Clara onward to Lake Marion has received less traffic so far, and you’d likely face some postholes on warm afternoons.
Both lakes are in beautiful, clear condition with some snow still lining the banks. Wildlife certainly seems to be in the spring-like mood; I spotted several ducks floating on Marion and a large number of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Overall, it was a great hike, and it was lovely to be back outdoors up at The Ridge.
With some snowpack still hanging around, I’d advise waterproof footwear and trekking poles if you’re hiking out to Lake Clara, and depending on your comfort walking on packed snow, you could consider bringing Microspikes. Microspikes or snowshoes would definitely be advisable if you’re venturing any higher than the lakes. It’s a beautiful time in the forest right now with the sights, sounds, and smells of the springtime rebirth flourishing across the landscape, so I’d highly encourage you to get up here! The forecast this weekend calls for temps in the 50s with mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of showers on Sunday. If you’re hoping to wait for snow-free conditions, I expect the Lake Clara Trail will take a couple more weeks to be fully clear.
I’m looking forward to seeing you up on The Ridge this spring and summer. Once the Chair 5 Pub restaurant opens in June, I’m planning to provide updates on current mountain conditions each weekend so you know what to expect when you head up!
Forecast:
Saturday 5/10: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. West wind 9 to 13 mph.
Sunday 5/11: A 30 percent chance of showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Chair 5 Pub Schedule:
The Grand Opening of the Chair 5 Pub at Mission Ridge is on June 6th! The restaurant will be closed throughout May. Beginning in June, hours will be Fridays from 4pm–9pm, Saturdays from 11am–9pm, and Sundays from 10am–2pm.
No chairlifts will run during the off-season.
Off-Season Access Policy
During the off-season, public access within the Mission Ridge Special Use Permit area is permitted except where restricted due to maintenance and construction. We love seeing the Mission Ridge community in the mountains and on the trails year-round, but please make sure to check out the full access policy by clicking the link below.
