Spray Park — Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022

arrived around one pm on a Sunday for this hike. the lake parking lot was spilling out far down the road but I came so late I found some spots close to the trailhead.

the trail is a little challenging but doable, easier w poles. the biggest issue for me was the bugs. they were re.lent.less. if you're like me and bugs just love you, get the good deet (98%) and cover all your skin with clothes, maybe one of those beekeeper hats too. I couldn't enjoy most of the hike itself because horseflies and biting flies were swarming me like the entire fly community had a contract hit out on me. I couldn't pee or stop to take a breath because I'd get immediately swarmed. I didn't see anyone else swiping at the air like I was, but they were in my ears, getting trapped between my sunglasses and face, getting stuck on my hair. it sucked so much. on the other hand, it definitely helped motivate me up the last half mile because I was effing done with those bugs.

the viewpoints are nice; the big waterfall is incredible but there's a dozen other people all over the place so there's gonna be a stranger in almost all your pics. there was a group of boys blasting their music the entire trail (???) and they spent thirty minutes posing shirtless in front of the waterfall so that was entertaining at least. I didn't cross the fall, I just had my trail beer and headed back. the waterfall was the only spot with reprieve from the bugs for me.

the trail is popular despite this WTA description. I saw dozens of hikers on my way down. mostly just me and the bugs on the way back. glad I did it; probably won't do it again.