7 of us met in the North Trail lot at 7:30 so we could do a warmup and start walking by 7:45. We were back to the cars by 10:15. 4.3 miles and 760 elevation gain for a "figure 8" loop hike that included two climbs of the bluff.
A Discovery Pass is needed. There is a portapotty at the North Trail parking as well as the restrooms at the bottom were open. The trails we traveled are in great shape; there are just a few root-filled slick spots on both the North and South trails, and a few patches of mud but not as slippery as it was when I led this 10 days earlier on January 8. The dry weather has helped.
There were only a handful of cars when we arrived, but hordes of people heading down North Trail when we left just after 10. There were still parking spaces, but fewer available spots the farther you got from the north lot. As a Tuesday leader I was surprised at the number of dogs and families getting out, including one other group of twelve on Beach Trail as we started our second hike up. Probably a good 20-25 dogs, too.
We hiked down North, along Beach with a short break to check out waterfowl, up Seminary, along Perimeter once one of our party decided once was enough; to Grotto, where I'd never been before, and down South Ridge. As a group we chose to return to our cars via North Trail as it's in wonderful condition.
On the day, for birds we enjoyed 20 species including double-crested cormorants, a raven, robins, nuthatches, several woodpeckers including flickers and pileated and downy, and some common mergansers. No eagles this visit.
We collected a few pieces of trash and a poop bag; fortunately, most dog owners were carrying out their bags. A ski patroller asked in passing, "Won't those just melt?" Uh, no. Plus it's an eyesore. Leave No Trace means take only photos, leave only footprints. In the next breath he thanked me for doing so and offered me a pole out so the slope wouldn't give way beneath me. We had an encounter with a dog off leash who must have come right out of the lake, but the owner graciously secured it as soon as we asked him to.
All in all a lovely outing, great weekend winter weather, and fun folks sharing their previous worldwide adventures.
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