Blue Lake — Sunday, May. 12, 2024

Did Blue Lake Hiker trail #274. App maps to TH were way off putting you at a few miles away and requiring walking to TH. Road to TH is narrow with a few deep puddles but should be passable for most cars. One other truck in small parking lot at TH. Varied hike with several very steep sections, some very narrow sections with sheer dropoffs, 2 sets of nearly vertical rock stairs. A few large blowdowns requiring climbing up off the trail and through the tree branches and over. One small cascading stream crossing with slippery rocks and vertical drop with roots to hang on to going inbound but nothing to hold going out so I chose to climb uo and around which wasn't easy either but felt safer to me. Taller friend made it over with no problem. Intermittent snow after about first mile then snowfields after crossing the bridge to the other side of the Blue Lake Creek. Postholed once to mid thigh. Lost route after intersection showing "Blue Lake 1/4 mile" arrow pointing uphill. It would have been better to go left at this intersection on to 271 and continue along the creek which takes you right to the lake. Beautiful hike the entire way from deep canyon with columnar basalt wall on one side, following along Blue Lake Creek which is flowing rapidly and full, a waterfall and Blue Lake itself surrounded by trees and the mountains at the opposite end. Gaia 6.5 miles 1740 ascent. (About .5 miles of being lost)