I did this solo for an overnight camp at the lake. It is a short but surprisingly difficult hike. It is steep, has a risky scramble, and very easy to loose footing while traveling downhill. I do not recommend this hike for young children or people that are afraid of heights or typically accident prone.
Recommended: Poles, pants, and shoes that have a good tread in mud, roots, and rocks.
Note: The trailhead is not at the back side of the parking cul-de-sac. It begins on the forest road before reaching the turn around. I started taking the wrong starting path and had to hike up a steep hill to reach the proper trail.
To echo what other trip reports have said, I am an experienced hiker and have never fallen while hiking. However, on this trip on the way back I let my guard down after the steep parts and slipped, comically with feet flipping out in front as though I stepped on a banana peal, and landed on my back. Luckily the pack broke my fall and I only got scratches on the arm. Please be careful and hike with a partner if you can.
During the climb up there is a good view of Evans Lake, with the beautiful blue green water.
The scramble goes right over this minor peak and is solid rock, steep, and has few foot/hand-holds. I'm not afraid of heights but this gave me some butterflies. On the way to the lake I avoided the scramble, but that put me on a very steep traverse that was probably more dangerous. IIRC, there are some logs blocking that path.
Approaching Rock Lake there is a large rock land slide that needs to be crossed. There are two ways. Once keeps across the rocks and stays high and the other hugs the trees and cuts through overgrown bushes. Both ways are marked with cairns which can be confusing for someone that doesn't know there are two paths. I took the lower path.
The lake is beautiful and I set up camp on the north side. I didn't find many other camp sites, but that spot could fit 3 or more tents.
I tried fishing, but didn't get a bite. The fish I saw were about 4 inches and small.
Before turning in, I heard a rock tumble down the mountainside near the falls on the other side of the lake. That was first for me.
Overall, it was a good trip. It was difficult and I probably won't do that again for a long while.
In the morning I saw a father and his son across the lake enjoying their day hike. Other than that, I didn't see anyone else the whole trip.
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