Oh Mazama! Patiently waited for some fresh baguettes at the Mazama Store. Snagged two as soon as they came out of the oven, and off I went, back up HWY 20, leaving Mazama at 9:15am, which was later than I'd planned for. But, baguettes... (Tip: though the Mazama Store opens at 7am, the baguettes will not be ready until closer to 8:30/9am!)
Approaching the trailhead, I saw three cars parked on the HWY but pulled into the lot anyways; two spaces remained, one in front of the trailhead itself. What a wonderful start to the day, I thought! Baguettes and primo parking. On the trail at 9:45 am. I hiked to this lake in 2020 and remember it being steeper for some reason. I'm by no means in prime hiking shape but booked it to the lake in just under an hour without stopping. Not many people on the trail at all- I passed maybe 5 people coming down as I was going up. The grade is pretty gentle and the majority of the hike is shaded. The trail itself is in pretty good shape; only sporadic areas with roots/rocks.
You'll pass a small clearing, and veer left to return to the forest for a bit, and you'll start to see another clearing, junction for Blue Lake and Climber's Route, and a little further up, eventually you'll hear the sounds of running water. This means you're almost to the lake. Approached lake and veered to the right but you can also head left. Saw fish of all sizes swimming around. People of all sizes also swimming around, as the afternoon went on.
Bugs were terrible; despite my efforts to reapply Permethrin to all gear/clothing and heavy use of Picardan, I got bit twice. Could be much worse but the itching is annoying. Bug were much worse at the lake, buzzing in your ear, and landing on your head. Nearly everyone I passed, smelled like OFF.
Last time I was here, I found what looked like the foot (hoof) of a GOAT! This time... I spotted a goat, grazing under some trees, pretty close to a group sitting right on the water. I'm confident they had no idea the goat was near them; I only saw him from above on the cliff, along the trail to the tarn. Others at the lake said they saw a few goats (again, above the lake). So they're there! Just have to be patient and keep your eyes open, though of course, give them their space. Ate snacks, took a lot of pics (mostly of the goat) and headed down.
On my way down, passed maybe 10 or so people and back at the car around 1pm. Heading back W on HWY 20, there were noticeably less cars than you'd expect in July. Seems like everyone stopped at Diablo Lake and didn't go any further. Bummed that Lorenzo's in Sedro-Wooley closed early due to the 4th. Otherwise a wonderful day.
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