The pros:

Good Brook trout in the lake

Very private secluded

The cons:

bugs, Bugs BUGS!!! I know this area very well and I know to expect mesquitos but this was like the Armageddon of mesquitos.

Then there's the log jam. I hope that the river gets lower so that people don't have to cross that sketchy cluster of logs and they can try their luck with the Ford.

Oh and there is still a surprising amount of snow. So the last little bit you may have to bush wack to the lake. But there are plenty of game trails to fallow

Larch March!!! Schaefer lake is lined with Larches along the ridge surrounding this lake.  Will be in prime colors this week or next. Get out there and see them.  Limiting factor can be the Chiwawa river crossing.  If you wait too long the river gets wider, deeper and colder and makes it difficult to cross at the Horse Ford. You can still try foot logs but they get wet and slippery and dangerous to fall between the log jam. Trail is overgrown near the beginning after the river crossing but you can see the trail. Just wear pants and you will be fine until you are out of the river flood plain area.Definitely worth the hike and as usual in these parts, you will have the trail to yourselves and better yet, if you backpack and camp at the lake totally by yourself. Big lake and peaceful.

This was our 2nd attempt to cross the Chiwawa river. Last time we tried it was the end of October and the river was running high and was very cold. This time it was low but still cold but not nearly as wide to cross. Do the horse ford and bring water shoes for the crossing and just leave your water shoes off the trail for your return back across the river. The trail is in good shape. The first mile does have blueberry branches you have to plow thru but you can clearly see the trail. Don’t let this discourage you, this hike is worth it. Once you get out of the river flood plain the trail starts to steadily but gradually climb. The switchbacks are long and make the hike up more bearable. At 3.5 miles is an actual wood bridge to cross on. At 4mi look for the lookout to the right of the trail. It has great views of the valley. Continue up to Little Schaefer lake or pond. A cute quiet green pond. Another 0.25 mi further and you come to Schaefer Lake. A beautiful quiet, large lake with a ridge line of Larches slowly starting to turn to their gorgeous yellow color. Saw a few fall asters at the lake area. Lots of pumice rocks on the trail the remnants of Glacier Peak erupting some 100+ yrs ago. We really enjoyed this hike and perfect time of year to do it. Dont wait too long into October or the river will be too high, wide and frigid to cross. As long as it stays dry, the water will remain crossable.  The river is your limiting factor. There is a crossing over the logs but they can be extremely wet and slippery. We tried it last year and ended up falling and hurting ourselves and realized it was one of the hikes to hang up for another time which we finally did today.  This was truly a gorgeous hike and great time of year to do it.

We left our cars about 9:10 and crossed at the horse ford; it was fine.  Water was below the knees, but very cold.  The first mile or so of the trail is brushy; at times it's hard to see the trail.  It gets better for awhile, but about mile three the brush is bad again for a mile or so.  There are many trees down across the trail.  Most of them are small and easy to cross.  In at least two  spots there are three or more trees laying across each other and you are forced to go over, under, around or walk on top of the down trees.  There is one major tree down in the first mile; it is at least four feet in diameter.  Someone has cut a path through the vine maple to allow us to go around the down tree.  Arrived at the Lake about 12:15 and enjoyed a leisurely lunch in good weather. 

Trekking poles were helpful on the return to the car.  Some portions of the trail are steep and slippery.  On our return trip, we checked out the "Foot Log" which was downstream from the horse ford.  It looked to be much more difficult than the horse ford.  Back to our cars about 3:20.