Greider Lakes
Sep 19, 2008
by
Chuck
—
last modified
Sep 21, 2008 09:10 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Greider Lakes
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
- Avg Rating: 2.40
- Why You Should Go Now
-
- Fall foliage
- Ripe berries
Headed off for a quick day hike/fishing trip with the dog. What a difference 4 years makes. Hiked to Little Greider lake in 2004 and the trail was tough but in pretty good shape. In 2008, many of the man-made steps are crumbling, some are totally gone. A weekend of WTA work crews could do wonders on this rough trail.
Cool and overcast, I got into the mist half way up the hillside. For everyone who found this trail in the "Best Hikes with Children" books, be warned: the first mile is continuous switchbacks up the side of a hill. The 1 mile sign is hung upside down, the easier to read while doubled over trying to catch your breath. But not to worry, you are almost to the end of the long, grinding switchbacks. The next half mile, the trail builders decided they weren't getting to the top quickly enough so they switched to short steep switchbacks. The 1/2 mile trail between Little Greider and Big Greider lakes is narrow with brush encroaching. A sign at Little Greider claims that the trail to Greider Vista is closed, but the sign at the trailhead makes no mention of that. Didn't have time to find out for my self, there were fish to be sought out.
Managed to catch and release 2 small (7-8 inch) rainbow trout, saw lots of little guys (2-3 inches) jumping at insects near shore. Any rumors of golden trout hiding out from the plants in the '70s are false. With the rainbows now in the lake, any golden trout would have been hybridized out of the lake long ago.
Camp sites at both lakes are in good shape, looks like some idiots have been chopping down trees for bon-fires *sigh*. Saw 1 couple camped at Big Geider, 1 other couple just up for the day.
Highlight of the trip was driving out, about 1/2 mile from the trailhead a spotted owl watched me carefully from a tree about 10 feet from the side of the road. Cursed myself loudly for having put my pack with the camera in the trunk. No way he would stay around for me to stop the car, open the trunk, search for a camera and snap a picture. Had to satisfy myself with the memory.
Cool and overcast, I got into the mist half way up the hillside. For everyone who found this trail in the "Best Hikes with Children" books, be warned: the first mile is continuous switchbacks up the side of a hill. The 1 mile sign is hung upside down, the easier to read while doubled over trying to catch your breath. But not to worry, you are almost to the end of the long, grinding switchbacks. The next half mile, the trail builders decided they weren't getting to the top quickly enough so they switched to short steep switchbacks. The 1/2 mile trail between Little Greider and Big Greider lakes is narrow with brush encroaching. A sign at Little Greider claims that the trail to Greider Vista is closed, but the sign at the trailhead makes no mention of that. Didn't have time to find out for my self, there were fish to be sought out.
Managed to catch and release 2 small (7-8 inch) rainbow trout, saw lots of little guys (2-3 inches) jumping at insects near shore. Any rumors of golden trout hiding out from the plants in the '70s are false. With the rainbows now in the lake, any golden trout would have been hybridized out of the lake long ago.
Camp sites at both lakes are in good shape, looks like some idiots have been chopping down trees for bon-fires *sigh*. Saw 1 couple camped at Big Geider, 1 other couple just up for the day.
Highlight of the trip was driving out, about 1/2 mile from the trailhead a spotted owl watched me carefully from a tree about 10 feet from the side of the road. Cursed myself loudly for having put my pack with the camera in the trunk. No way he would stay around for me to stop the car, open the trunk, search for a camera and snap a picture. Had to satisfy myself with the memory.
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