Cooney Lake, Martin Lakes — Saturday, Sep. 30, 2017

Hiked to Cooney Lake, where I spent the night, then summited Switchback Peak and Martin Peak before hiking out via Martin Lakes.

When I got to the trailhead, the first thing I noticed was that there were many, many vehicles parked there.  This is an extremely popular trail for mountain bikers and dirt bikers.  That being the case, the trail is pretty dusty, but well maintained.  Also, one must be on the lookout for two-wheeled travelers; I was passed by many each day I was out.  All were respectful, some were noisy and dusty and smoky.

The trail up to Cooney Lake was not difficult (only about 8 miles and none of them very steep at all).  The larches had begun to turn, as had the huckleberry bushes.  Fall colors were out in force!!!  There were two other parties camped there.  The wind was gusty from the early evening until the middle of the night, and there was a light dusting of snow on the ground when I awoke.  Fall is here.

The hike up to Switchback Peak was very straightforward - keep going on the trail past Cooney Lake to a pass, where I cut off and headed straight for the summit over boulders and talus.  The traverse across the ridge line from Switchback to Martin Peak was short, but offered some of the greatest views I have ever seen.  It was all anyone could ask for on a ridge walk.  I moved slowly getting down from Switchback to the ridge (steep, some precarious rocks, and slippery from the snowfall), but then the climb up to Martin Peak was a simple walk up.

Down climbing from Martin Peak to the Martin Lakes Basin was a little trickier.  It was steep, and there was some loose rock just below the summit.  Once I got below the boulder fields, it was a short jaunt through the trees to Martin Lake, and then an easy hike out.

Gorgeous hike, especially this time of year.