We began our trip in the late morning, with plenty of time to make it to the lake before lunch. The trail ahead promised a pleasant hike, though the initial elevation gain gave me, a slower hiker, a bit of a challenge. Still, with some extended rests and encouragement, our group made it to the top without issue.
The trail was well-maintained. New wooden steps and fresh gravel made the climb more forgiving than expected. It was warm and a little humid, but the trees offered generous shade—except in the occasional clearing, where the sun hit us full-on. As we climbed higher, the air cooled, and by the time we reached the lake, a gentle breeze greeted us.
The loop around the lake was short but offered stunning views—distant cliffs still clung to patches of snow and ice, and a waterfall thundered in the background. The trail was brushy in parts, but still easy to navigate, and we were pleasantly surprised by a wooden boardwalk winding over wetlands, flanked by meadow plants and wildflowers.
Along the way, we noticed the salmonberries turning from bright orange to deep red, almost ripe. I helped myself to a few, and even found some wild blueberries—small but bursting with flavor. They were refreshing trailside snacks that quenched my thirst.
We found a large boulder overlooking the lake that looked impossible to climb at first, but with some teamwork and creativity, we all made it to the top. It was the perfect spot for lunch. We shared snacks, stories, and laughter, taking in the sweeping view of the lake below.
Despite perfect weather, the lake wasn’t crowded. We passed a few friendly hikers—quick nods and smiles exchanged like small blessings. After lunch, we climbed down (much easier than going up) and continued along the trail. Another open area presented towering boulders—too tempting to ignore. So once again, we climbed.
I found myself atop one of the taller boulders, possibly the second highest, and took a few moments to meditate. Despite the distant chatter of my friends, a peaceful silence settled over me. Birds sang, the waterfall echoed in the distance, and a cool breeze offset the sun’s steady warmth on my skin.
Eventually, we descended and continued around the lake. At another quiet spot, we found a smaller boulder that offered another stunning view—this time of the lake’s central islands and the towering cliffs beyond. We tried our best at skipping rocks, though only one of us had the skill. Someone waded in the frigid water while the rest of us basked in the calm, swatting away the occasional mosquito, which, to our surprise, weren’t too aggressive.
When we got back on the trail, we passed a large fallen tree—easy enough to step over—and soon reached the path that would lead us back. We paused for a final look at the lake, feeling grateful for what nature had given us. A real gift for the soul.
The way down was smooth and quicker than the ascent. To our surprise, a large rock had tumbled onto the trail where it hadn’t been earlier. We couldn’t help but wonder how and when it happened, but with no way to move it, we simply admired it and went around.
At last, we returned to the trailhead and took a quiet moment to reflect.
A simple day trip with friends—and yet, it brought out the best in everyone.
This one certainly did.
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