Today was supposed to be my rest day after Lake of the Angels yesterday, with just a little river walk to stretch the legs, but I ended up logging a good eight miles, including bushwhacking the way trail to Hidden Lake.
The way trail was great! It would otherwise be hard to follow about half the time, but someone flagged it recently; some might say excessively. I know there are those who object to flagging, but I don't think there's any chance I would have found the lake (it is "hidden," after all!) today without it.
Gaia shows the way trail beginning at the apogee of a big switchback on the Deer Lake trail. That's where I started, but (following the flags) on the way back, there was a much gentler connection to the main trail, maybe 50 feet uphill from that switchback angle.
I didn't make it to Deer Lake, since I took the detour to Hidden Lake instead, but trail conditions were fantastic up that way. I started encountering sporadic snow after the way trail junction, and Hidden Lake was surrounded by and covered with snow, so I imagine Deer Lake was a similar experience.
The big issue with this hike today, as it turns out, is the "Campground Trail" from the campground to Sol Duc Falls. That stretch was a nightmare of fallen trees! One-third to one-half of this segment was a constant struggle. The half closer to the campground was just fine.
The Lover's Lane side of the loop has been nicely cleared out, in contrast -- just a couple trees to climb over or under.
The falls themselves were roaring, but of course this area was the most populated part of my extended loop, which I don't enjoy these days (or ever, really).
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