Ashland Lakes — Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020

I had not planned on going out to this trail today, but visited the trail as part of a search and rescue mission for a lost hiker.   My main purpose of this update is to provide a current report on the state of the approach forest road.  It is five miles from the highway to the trailhead.   This road is one of the worst approaches that I have been on in the last few weeks.   Potholes, rough stony sections, and deep ruts are present on long sections of the road.  It also is one lane with very few places for cars to pass.   Do you need a four wheel drive vehicle?    No, I followed a Toyota minivan up the road but we did so at 5 mph.   Every hundred yards we would all stop to a crawl to dip in and out of the next obstacle.  I am pretty sure one of the larger, water-filled potholes contained a small sedan.   The reward?    Very few people venture up this area so you  see far fewer people and gain access to a series of high lakes.  ( 6 cars at trailhead versus a couple hundred at Lake 22).   

The rest rooms at the trailhead are closed so be prepared for the inconvenience. The trail was in good condition with water in the few small drainages that crossed the trail.  There were no bugs during our hike around midday.  I did see some ripe berries so you can snack your way to your favorite lake or campsite.  

The good news?   We found the lost hiker within an hour of taking the trail out.   Seeing him come through the woods was the perfect ending to my hike.