Arrived today around 9:30 and parking lot was full but plenty of parking along the road. We hiked up to Green Lake but took two short side trips to the old mine trail (extra .5ish miles but steep) and ranger falls (very short/quick) for an overall hike of ~11 miles. Hike was not too crowded and we had the lake to ourselves for roughly an hour in midafternoon. Spotted some crayfish in the water! Salmonberries were starting to ripen, but raspberries not there yet. Twinflowers, spring beauties, wintergreens in bloom.

Hike to Green Lake with side trips to the Old Mine, Ranger Falls and Chenius Falls (my video). 12 miles, 1700' gain.  For this Thursday trip, we arrived at 8:30 and got the last parking spots in the lot. Many woodland flowers along trail to Ranger Falls and flowers needing damper conditions were along trail to Chenius Falls.  The log bridge across the Carbon River on the trail to Chenius Falls is probably not the best for anyone prone to veritgo - the water really rushes under that narrow log (see my video here).

Beautiful day for a hike! Arrived just before 10am and the parking lot was full (to be expected on a holiday weekend) but there was room along the road. Vault toilets are available and accessible. Trail was in great shape, with some wildflowers blooming and berries ripening. Green Lake was tranquil, although disappointed to find several unburied scat piles nearby. We checked out Ranger Falls and the Old Mine as well, both worth the short detours. Trails are clearly marked. Bugs were almost nonexistent, a pleasant surprise. Perfect day hike!

Trimmed back brush at the top ~1/4 quarter mile of Green Lake trail as part of a WTA work party. I mainly cleared the overgrown footbridges just before a log bridge crossing of the Green Lake outlet. The hike up past Ranger Falls is steep, but worth it. Guard rails have been expanded to keep visitors from using a social trail up to the right of the falls, but still allow plenty of space for parties to gather and take in the falls. Green Lake was shining when the sun was out, plenty of critters and birds waiting to take any lunch you may drop. Trail around the left side of the lake had a good number of fallen logs - we stopped at about 5 after finding a more secluded location to enjoy the view. My 5'1 frame had a bit of trouble getting over the last few logs.

Biked from Carbon River entrance to trailhead for Green Lake/Ranger Falls.  The old road that is now for hiking or biking only has had some gravel added in places that had been rough before with river rocks and sand, much nicer for riding now.  The trail to Green Lake is in good condition through a beautiful old forest that has some giant trees and forest floor covered with ferns.  Ranger falls was flowing well, the guard rails for the view point are being replaced.  The lake is open with some mud around the edges but overall a delightful hike and nice to be able to coast down the road back to my car after the hike.