Eightmile Lake, Lake Caroline, Trout Lake via Jack Trout Trailhead & Jack Creek — Friday, Jun. 30, 2023

Trout Creek Trail 1555: Trail is smooth, logged out and OK for stock until just short of junction with Eightmile/Trout Creek Trail.

Jack Ridge Trail 1557: The Trout Lake side of this trail is overgrown, with many downed trees requiring climbing. The Jack Meadow side of the ridge has clearer tread but both require some navigation skill.

Eightmile/Trout Creek Trail 1554: Water is 6 inches deep at the ford near the junction with Trout Creek Trail 1555 and the east side of the ford is blocked by logs. A log walk bypass is available 20 yards downstream. There are numerous blowdows in the area, making this section of trail difficult to navigate. Trail is easier to follow at higher elevation approaching Windy Pass, but a few downed trees remain. There is no snow on Windy Pass. Between Windy Pass and Lake Caroline, the trail is smoother and more well defined, with few downed logs that are easy to negotiate. Between Lake Caroline and junction with Eightmile Lake Trail 1552, there are steep sections and some brushy overgrowth.

Eightmile Lake Trail 1552: This trail has a few downed trees and some muddy sections. It has significant elevation gain but is not difficult to navigate.

All expected water sources are flowing for each of these trails. All lakes are full. Mosquitos are out and moderately dense at Trout Lake and quite a nuisance at Lake Caroline. Flowers seen along this route are at higher elevations, with the best display of lupine, paintbrush, and aster in the meadows above Lake Caroline. There was no snow on this route, but there were small patches of snow in the meadows immediately below Windy Pass.