Diablo Lake, Heather - Maple Pass Loop — Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024

GOLDEN LARCHES - At peak! 80% are golden, 10% are already shedding needles and 10% are light yellow, with a couple of lime green spots.

This is a very long drive, brutal by yourself! Left Seattle at 6:15 and got to the trailhead at 9:20ish - no spots in the lot and parked on the road, only 0.2 miles from the start of the trail. It was a sunny Thursday so I expected this.

The drive went from clouds to sun to clouds so I didn’t know what to expect but we had full sun at rainy pass which was amazing. Little chilly at the start but I shed layers quickly as it was sunny and little wind the entire day. Absolutely perfect conditions. There were spots where the amount of people was definitely annoying - poop bags on the trail, unleashed dogs, poor hiking etiquette - but that’s what happens at larch March.

Larches show up about 2-2.5 miles into the trail (CCW) and the top is roughly 3.75-4.0 mi. I would def bring poles - the top half of the loop had a dusting of frost and it made the rocks slick, especially ones that weren’t in the sun. Might need spikes if it’s colder than 50, and if it snows up there.

All in all, an epic hike. Single female hiker here, and was definitely never alone on the trail. The new satellite messaging feature on ios18 works, and it’s an absolute game changer for sending messages with no cell service on the trail. Just made me feel lighter and happier knowing I could contact my loved ones.

Stopped at Diablo Lake at the way home, always a must, didn’t have time for rainy lake or Washington pass overlook today. I5 was a disaster mess on the way home - slog of a drive back. Always worth it. Happy larch madness!!!