This was a good introductory backpack for our newest scouts. The FS road could easily be an axle buster, although we did meet a couple of intrepid folks in standard cars. I was glad to have my truck, but it was still a slow go due to the number and size of the potholes. The day was overcast with the threat of showers that came and went. The trail was well maintained although there are a couple of areas, like a large sloping rock in the middle of the trail about a mile in that we carefully made our way over. Then is the single plank bridge over a deep stream by the upper lake. For a day hike these don't seem like much but load a few extra pounds on your back and the character of the challenge changes. On our ingress day the large section of boardwalk seemed over done but the next morning proved this not to be the case. We made the camp ground, very well marked and lots of area, as well as numerous firepits, although a sign at the trailhead noted no campfires permitted, so it was a gather round the camp stove night.
We made camp then did a short hike to the lower lake where we got hailed on for a couple of minutes, then back to the upper lake and camp. The late afternoon was pleasant with sun breaks and minor showers. This changed during the night. Around 10:30pm the sky opened up and dumped rain and hail until around 6:30am. Looking out of my tent I at first thought it had snowed but soon discovered it to be an accumulation of hail. The boardwalks were covered in hail slush which threatened to compress to ice as we hiked out. The lake which had been several feet away from the boardwalk by the camp was now under the boardwalk. The lake raised by at least 3 inches in eight hours.
We carefully hiked out in a constant drizzle and were glad to get off the boardwalks and the hail slush. All our scouts though returned with smiles ready to tackle another backpacking adventure.
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