Lake Stuart — Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023

I took a bit of a risk and began this hike at 1pm on an overcast day with a 30% chance of rain. The parking lot proper was full due to my afternoon arrival, but I was able to park just below it — close enough to see the toilets.

On my way in, a steady flow of people were coming out. Dozens of groups. It seems like I might be one of only a few people who learned that trail etiquette is to yield to people hiking uphill. I didn’t see many folks employing that rule of thumb. Am I making that one up or is that actually somewhat common trail manners?

Once I got past the trail junction and headed to Lake Stuart, I saw three other parties on the trail (only two of whom were fellow day hikers) and two backpackers’ camps up at the lake. This trail did deliver relative solitude and quiet despite being in a popular Wilderness area.

I’d add onto the trail description that you do a fair bit of climbing between the meadow and reaching the lake. I also think the meadow is at least 3/4 of a mile from the lake, not merely a half mile. This last section took me over half an hour. 

I really enjoyed the views from the meadow and from where a rock slide comes right down to the lake beyond the first obvious lakeside campsite. I shared a really cool moment with a couple of other hikers on the way out, only a 1/4 mile from the trailhead: we watched a pine marten scurry along over logs and right across the trail ten feet from me as it followed the scent of its potential dinner. I’m so glad we got to witness this cunning creature in action.

I was slightly nervous starting a nine mile hike alone at 1pm in shoulder season, so I mitigated my risks by: letting two people know exactly where I was going; leaving myself at least an hour of extra daylight based on a conservative (aka slow) estimate of my total hiking time; carrying rain gear, an extra jacket, hat and gloves, a head lamp, adequate water, and lots of food; making noise and calling out to bears; and choosing a hike that matched my currently modest fitness level. It all worked out, and I didn’t need a fair bit of what I carried, but it brought me peace of mind to know I would’ve survived the night.

My last thought: based on my step count, I think this hike is more like 11 miles round trip. Anyone else have thoughts on that or have an accurate Garmin measurement?

A wonderful hike that I’m glad I squeezed in before the snow arrives.

P.S. The larches are done.