Plenty of other trip reports have already described the hikes and trail conditions. First did this hike to Gem Lake in 2008. The trail tread itself seems to have been widened or worked on in the intervening years, and definitely several sets of stairs have been more recently installed - they look beautiful.
As remembered from the past, the boulders, the talus, the scree. One can't escape them, and especially so on the way up to Gem Lake. The only way to get through to take one step at a time, then pause to soak in the scene while catching your breath - both coming and going. Take solid steps - there were some rocking rocks.
A note for potential future trailwork love - primarily observed it on the way down from the Snow Lake saddle on the switchbacks heading back to the trailhead. Forgot to mark on GPS - either after the first 2-3 switchbacks down the hill, or the last 2-3 switchbacks before trail straightens out. A shortcut or something was made on one of the switchbacks. It's more evident from the switchback above (a steep slide); only thought to take a photo afterward (which looks more mild) from below, looking up. Photo attached.
Comments