This is a great hike to do in early September. No mosquitoes! A few late-summer wildflowers still holding on. You can see the larches just starting to turn. The trail is in excellent shape.
I camped at the trailhead (where there are a couple sites and a bathroom) and then spent one night apiece at Upper Eagle Lake and Cooney Lake. Even on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, there were only three to four other parties at Upper Eagle Lake. Had a great private campsite to the far right in a grassy spot. It was windy but my tent stayed up, so that was a bonus.
The next day, after passing Boiling Lake, I didn't see anyone for several hours except one group of motorcyclists. I reached Cooney Lake (after climbing up gorgeous Angel's Staircase and down the slippery/rocky trail to the lake), and saw one person there - a day hiker who was leaving. He informed me that no one else was staying there but that he had seen a bear nearby. Awesome.
The bear kept to himself watching Netflix in his den, and I had a magical time being at the lake alone, especially after the sun came up and I hadn't yet been eaten by the bear. The next day, I didn't see anyone until I got back down to civilization.
This is an absolutely beautiful hike, well worth doing at this time of year even if the wildflowers aren't glorious and the larches aren't yet "out." It's chilly at night in the morning, so just be prepared. It was my first solo backpack and I thought it was just the right amount of challenge.
Comments