Thanksgiving Break arrived, and a Friday when I wasn't surrounded by my 5th graders. I wanted to get a hike in, but we were going out to the Christmas tree farm this morning ... so I wound up doing a hike/trail run up to Fragrance Lake. Turned out great!
I had to leave early, so I wound up at the trailhead at 6:20am. Parking for several cars at the trailhead (maybe 6-7), Discover Pass needed. There is no bathroom at the trailhead, so I drove a mile further to the Lost Lake parking lot. It was gated closed, but the bathrooms were open and stocked. #blessed
Started up in the darkness at 6:40am, headlamp a must. The trail is in good condition, with some muddy spots. Mostly short squishy spots, easily navigated in my trail runners, but poles helped. The 6-7 worst muddy spots were by the lake, but even those were short-lived.
I pushed myself up to the lake, let's call it a gasping fast walk. As many have said in their reports, it can be steep in places, but never for too long. Benches show up occasionally if you need them (I counted 6-7).
I skipped the spur to the viewpoint at 0.8 miles (still pitch dark!) but it's worth it if you haven't done it before (I checked it out about 6-7 months ago).
Circled the lake counter-clockwise, several places, maybe 6-7 of them, to pause and take in the beauty (and solitude, which isn't always the case on this popular trail). The sun started to appear through the trees, a welcome sight.
Headed back down the trail, kept it at "controlled fall" pace. I crossed paths with only two people - I expected a crowd of "burning off yesterday's feast" people, or at least 6-7 other hikers, but maybe they were all smarter than me and slept in.
Arrived back at the car in one piece. 4.3 miles total, 1063 ft elevation, a little under 90 minutes.
There are tons of reports for this trail, and I've hiked it many times, but I will say that in the darkness, and moving at faster-than-usual pace, the trail felt very different. It was a good reminder to mix it up a bit, especially on familiar trails. Hike it in the early morning or at night, hike in the opposite direction, hike it faster - or slower. It's amazing to me how different a trail can feel. I give this hike at least 6-7 stars out of 10.
Grateful to be out in the wilderness this morning - and yes, I made it home in time to head out to the (slightly ironic) tree farm to find our tree!
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