Fall. I would be selfish to say it is the best season of them all. However in my mind there is just something about it. The foulage colors as they turn, the quietness of most trails with so many occupied with sports, school etc. The list grows for me every year and so does my love for Fall.
As I was readying my stuff last night the wife said she wanted to have lunch somewhere with some fall colors, some elevation and a trail that wasnt too crowded overall. I had originally planned on Lake Annette since it is one of my favorites but opted to go higher up given her requests. Lodge lake was the choice and it did not disappoint. The pass is operating the one chair lift if you are into that, we opted to enjoy the hike upward underneath it and enjoy the colors.
The trail is in great shape and as we meandered upwards past the chair lifts we entered the PCT trail towards lodge lake stopping at Beaver lake for a quick pic. This is where you enjoy some flat terrain for a bit after climbing up the pass and the reflections on the lake are amazing. Said hello to a few hikers before continuing on our way.
Signs of bear scat are very evident along the path once you begin the long slow descent to the lodge lake and proof the berries are ripe. You will find many berries still fresh on the bushes along lodge lake once you get there. We passed the one couple camping just off the lake after stopping to say hello for a bit and enjoyed our lunch on the log. The peace and quiet was almost too good to believe. We sat for an hour and maybe two or three people showed up. Otherwise the interactions were few and far between.
the trails are in great shape, bugs not too bad. most people gave plenty of way when encountered on the trail but honestly we maybe encountered 20 at the most. We then headed back and upward to top of the pass where the lift drops off the riders and while there was a small group there, it was really miniscule.
Took the path to the left downward and back in the lot at the PCT trailhead where we and maybe 15 cars total were parked. Already wanting to go again...
Happy Trails :)
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