This marked fifteen years, nearly to the day, since our last trip here (last time we got engaged!). Our group of six (four adults and two twelve-year-olds) did an overnight into Headlight Basin. Flowers, flowers, flowers! So many of the favorites were on display. Bugs were not bad in the basin, though we did use a Thermacell device in the evening the next morning. From Headlight Basin we visited the lake, of course. That portion of this hike is what makes it a "hard" rating, I suspect, as the trail gets rough and is easy to lose in spots. We saw a mama and baby goat from a distance. On returning to camp, found that first one, then ultimately four large male goats had decided to join us for the night. They were not aggressive, but never really left, either. They circled and browsed around the camp all night.
On our way in, we spoke with a couple backpacking in with a dog, reminding them that dogs are not allowed in the basin. The response was "What are we supposed to do?" Later on, we came across their campsite, at the lake, on a meadow across from a "closed for restoration" sign. Other than the conversation my wife had with them earlier, there seems to be very little else we can actually do about this. If they're going to ignore the posted signs (no dogs, no camping at the lake, etc.), they're going to ignore the signs. We took the opportunity to remind the kids of their own responsibility, and owned up to the relative powerlessness to get other people to behave responsibly. At least they didn't have a fire and weren't flying drones.
Ultimately, our friends and the kids enjoyed the visit, though I think the boys could have done without the hike to the lake and would have preferred just staying at camp in their hammocks.
NOTE: We found a pair of women's size 7 La Sportiva boots, with a pair of socks (with foxes on them) at the trailhead. If these were yours, please get in touch! Happy to coordinate a return.
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