This trek should be renamed "No Pain - No Gain". Or possibly, "Feel the Burn". It is a hard trek with varying degrees of trail conditions from road width, to narrow forested floor, with some lengths very, very rocky. The trail is a steady switch backing steep accent, up, up and away. After a while, the thought of 'Stairmaster' comes to mind. But do not let any of that hold you back. The rewards at the end are very well worth the effort and the strength you would have put into it. Before trekking up to the lake, take a side trip up to Bridal Veil Falls. Very impressive. Once you get back onto the main trail and start your switch back accent, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the mountains above the Skykomish River basin. Very nice indeed. As you continue your upward and onward momentum, you will have more opportunities to meet 'up close and personnel', a few more cascading water falls over huge granite boulders. Steadily you keep pressing forward, one step in front of the other, up, up and up. Then all of a sudden the view opens up to beautiful Lake Serene and the wonderful groomed trails around it. Because of the clarity of the lake and the reflection of the lake surface, it seems difficult to see the shore line. You may have to walk right up to the water line to see it. It was that clear. As you stand there and look around, taking in the 2000 foot towering vistas of the Mount Index Ridge and the surrounding Lake area, you think, "Wow! This is what it is all about." Enjoy this trip. I would do it again.