Shouldn’t this trail really be called ‘Bench Paradise,’ given the log benches that seem to pop up at every turn in the first mile?
I hit this gorgeous hike the day after the August 2025 heat wave, starting at 9am, reaching the lake (lakes? I suppose) at 11:40 going at a slow pace because I was distracted by all the thimbleberries, eating them the entire way to and back. In further delights to the senses, this hike then treated me to a tranquil swim in the lake (thanks heat wave!) and refreshingly strong breezes on the way down, which felt longer than the way up somehow, even though I was picking berries the whole time both ways (hehe).
In my book, this is the ideal trail. Not only is there little to no traffic noise, but the creek was actually raging despite the dry August climate, making the ambience an instant 10/10 in addition to the 95% shade rate and the easy, wide path. No better way to get outside on a day with perfect weather like today. The path is reminiscent of the new Mailbox Peak trail but features far more interesting sights along the way, namely the views of Mailbox itself, and the wide and rushing creek, above which sit those log benches whose abundance is sorely needed on such a beautiful trail.
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