Blue Lake — Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Took my friend from California on a golden larch adventure - spent 2 nights in Winthrop and did three hikes total. On Thursday afternoon we stopped at Blue Lake. It was busy - parking lot was full and we were the second car on the road - but not nearly as bad as on Saturday afternoon when we saw cars parked a looong way down Hwy 20. Easy, steady grade, well-maintained trail with colors popping right now even before you get to the lake. Larches are all different shades, from lime to deep orange. I highly recommend taking the small loop around the tarn, it felt quieter and there are still a few huckleberries clinging for dear life and loaded with sweet goodness. Bathroom at the start of the trail was well-stocked and clean. Highly recommend doing this trail on a weekday. For those preferring low elevation gain but wanting a longer hike, Blue Lake can be paired with Cutthroat Lake (trailhead is about 10 minutes further east on Hwy 20), another short easy hike with uniquely different peaks and lake.