Got an early start and was on the trail by 8 am. I cannot recommend starting early on this hike enough. The first half the day was peaceful, quiet, and had a semblance of solitude that is hard to find on this popular trail. Fall color is subdued compared to our trails but very pretty on this hike. My partner and I turned around at the log bridge between Snow and Gem lakes. GPS read a round trip of 9 miles. Great pika sightings!

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