What a day! We arrived to the trailhead at 8:30 Monday morning, there were approximately ten vehicles in the lot. We started our hike at 8:45, my friend who is a novice hiker and myself carrying my 20 lb five month old on my back. The elevation gain was tolerable on the way in, the views are incredible and there were lots of critters that stopped and said hello, from Pikas to squirrels and a variety of birds singing us up the hill. I spotted a few boletes, most melted from the rain, and a large patch of chicken of the woods as well (not wanting to go off trail I left the chicken in its place, despite wanting it!). There were a few groups of 2/3 we played leap frog with on trail, everyone was respectful and masked up or at least kept a good distance.
The fresh alpine blueberries were a welcomed snack break, I’ve never tasted better berries in my life.
The steep muddy and rocky decent into the lake was a welcome break from the steep incline (but you know in the back of your mind that descending now means ascending later)
Your breath gets taken away when you first catch a glimpse of the lake, but keep going, it only gets better from there.
The hike out is brutal on the thighs and lungs, the hike down is brutal on the knees, I strongly suggest trekking poles, I’m 25 and I use them - they SAVE my knees and offer stability on sketchy parts of the trail.
Advice I can offer:
I wouldn’t recommend this hike to people with old dogs, young kids (unless carried) or people with really bad knees. Bring at least two liters of water. Bring food!
Please don’t litter. Pack it in - pack it out!
Ps: I am convinced this trail is longer than 7.5 miles RT. I hiked 10 miles with serious elevation gain in an hour less time about a month ago. I think the elevation gain is what made it feel longer? We left TH at 8:45am - got to the lake at 12:45, left lake at 1:45 and returned to parking lot at 4:20 pm
In other words, don’t underestimate this hike.
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