Twin Lakes (Wenatchee)

The weather Sunday at 5 am in Everett was foreboding so figured would head East to find some good day trip weather. Decided on Twin Lakes via Napeequa Valley and what a good choice. Sunny and clear at 9 am and 70F. Bugs at trailhead, only one other car there. This was my first trip out following knee surgery 8 weeks ago. It is uphill a lot of the way but not terribly challenging, the knee held out, the trail was good, and there was no one else out on the trail. At one point alongside a draw ascending along the creek something unseen was crashing around in the bushes by the creek. I couldn'r see what it was but made a lot of noise to scare it off. About a minute farther up the trail there were drops of water on the trail and rocks leading up from the creek so some animal was right ahead of me on the trail although I never did see one. The trail has been recently maintained and a good job at that, its great! At the top there is a fish and wildlife cabin (locked) and 2 men camping near the cabin. The trail ends just past the camp area after crossing a rickety wooden slat bridge that spans a couple platforms across the outlet of the last lake. A good place for lunch as the views are nice from there. A couple hundred yards past here the trail peters out although you can bushwack it to the other side of the lake pretty easily, I did this part way but had to turn back due to time constraints. Gorgeous trip on the way down, would have been hot if not for the stiff breeze and that the trail is almost entirely shaded with only a few brief sun exposures. Met group of 3 who were on the way up, surprised there weren't more out as the day was beautiful and the trail is nice. Definitely a winner if you want an easier one with not too much gain and easy tread. Easily accessible from HWY 2 as road is paved the whole way there. Flowers and berries along the way, trail is vined in pretty heavily in areas however nothing you can't get through.