In theory, you can connect from Gem Lake to Chair Peak basin via a set of gorgeous ledges. We've poked at these from the Chair Peak side a number of times, but never really committed. In retrospect, it's a good thing we didn't.
First off, know we pushed hard up the Snow Lake trail to avoid the crowds. It is, after all, one of the most popular hikes near Seattle. And for good reason. Snow Lake is a spectacular lake with crystal clear water, towering cliffs, and pika everywhere. It's so popular there are now multiple parking lots and cars line the approach road. So that's why we start early.
We looped around Snow Lake and were about half way to Gem Lake. We paused a lot to scope the route I'd hoped to take. Hmm... doesn't look great. Let's go a bit more and see if it looks better. (Spoiler alert: It doesn't.) We wound up at Gem Lake and realized our loop wasn't going to happen.
Alternates? Sure, there were many. We could continue and loop down to Melakwa Lake and then try to climb to Pineapple Pass for our descent. It would probably go, but if it didn't we'd have to call home for a ride back to the car.
Instead, we retreated the way we had come. Back around the lake with a bunch of stops for Tinkham to swim and even more to snap pics of wildlife. I hear you; "Wildlife? Why not just say 'pika'? That's all you ever take pictures of anyway."
Pfft. This time we were lucky to spot a marten chilling on a rock. Even after he spotted us he stuck around for a few moments. Probably figured we were, in fact, too big to take down without a buddy or two.
And pika. We took lots of pictures of pika. Of course.
We detoured of the main trail to the winter route. No, there was no snow, but there were also no people on that side. Plus, we got to see where we had hoped we'd have exited. Alas, it didn't last and we rejoined the main trail. What took us 45 minutes in the early morning darkness was doubled as we stopped to let uphill traffic pass.
So... will we try again? Duh. But maybe the trick is to try to figure out the section between Hemlock and Pineapple Passes before we're committed without a car at our exit. And sadly, that'll be next year because it's all snowed in now.
