My 83 year old Dad joined me for a 3-day/2-night hike to Silver Lake! What a trooper he is. We departed Upper Mt. Townsend trail-head (#839) around noon on Tuesday July 11th, returned around 3pm Friday July 13th. Parking area was filled to the brim, especially on Friday. Trail #839 is in excellent condition -- heavy use but no issues at all. I'd call the trail almost-moderately difficult, mostly due to a few inclines that are a little steep (but not horrible). Water is limited so bring a liter or so. Wildflowers are beautiful, and are seen along almost the entire route.
The boot path to Silver Lake is in great shape, with only one smaller tree fallen across the trail (easily passed over). Mosquitoes start to become a minor bother once you get to the valley floor and cooler/wetter environment.
Silver lake and the surrounding area is gorgeous, and given it's close proximity to an extremely popular trail (#839) it feels nicely secluded and private. There was only one other group (that we saw) camping on the south side (and we on the north, a good ways away from the lake). Mosquitoes were horrible, evenings and mornings. Flies were a minor annoyance. Ample use of lemon eucalyptus (aka bug repellent) helped, but I was chewed to death on more difficult areas of my body to get coated with repellent (back primarily).
Leave no Trace appeared to be very well adhered to, we found almost no trash the entire 3 days. Even along the heavily traveled Mt. Townsend trail. :)
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