Cooney Lake — Saturday, Sep. 11, 2021

Started at Crater Creek Trailhead and took Eagles Lake Trail to Boiling lake, then up to Angel's Staircase and down to Cooney lake for the night. Saw several mountain and motor bike parties, but no hikers on the trail. Along the way, someone on a mountain bike said a group of motor bikers told him they were charged by a grizzly bear near Cooney lake. I laughed because this was obviously not true, but the man insisted he was serious. So that was odd...we never saw a grizzly bear, but did see a black bear on our way up to the top of Angel's Staircase. We called out and he took off running in the opposite direction, so not the kind of bear who is charging people. We saw 2 other tents at Cooney lake, and set up at the far end of the lake. My husband fished for a bit and said it was one of the best lakes he's ever fished in! In the morning we saw fresh bear tracks by the lake! *There is one confusing turn to make note of.* When leaving the lake and returning to Crater Creek Trailhead, there is a tree that says "Martin Creek Trail", you want to go left. The turn is almost hidden and we ended up going the wrong way for a little bit.