Rock Lake — Monday, Sep. 1, 2025

Mark's report from a month earlier pretty much describes the trail experience to Rock Lake to the point, I don't have much to add.

This is not a beginner or family friendly hike. There are scrambling sections with exposure and danger of falling. The part at the top of the ridge before going down to the lake has some spicy sections. The trail is not a walk in the park, it is very steep at times and though short is physically demanding.

The day I went, I arrived at 7am at the trailhead and no other cars were parked there. I arrived at Rock Lake by 10am and spent an hour there by myself.

On to Panorama Lake

My goal was to explore beyond Rock Lake and find my way up to Panorama Lake. I took the approach west around Rock Lake, keeping west up the talus field towards the unnamed tarn (Lat: 47.634895; Lon: -121.340733), swinging around there towards the saddle that ascends and descends to Panorama Lake. There is no trail for most of this. If you attempt this, be prepared for a mountaineering adventure, not a hike. You need to be prepared and have path finding and wilderness navigation skills. There is a fair bit of scrambling involved as well, with steep sections, exposure and risk of fatal falls. Know what you're doing and practice safe decision making in the mountains. Know your limits and be equipped.

On my way back down from Panorama Lake I ran into a backpacking party of three headed up to Panorama Lake. By the time I made it back to Rock Lake, I came across a single pair of backpackers staying at Rock Lake for the night. Those were the only encounters I had the entire day.