Foggy Dew Creek, Martin Creek, Cooney Lake, Switchback Mountain & Merchants Basin — Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018

Started out at Fogy Dew Trailhead at 6:40am. Started to encounter fresh snow at around 3 miles in but it was never more than a dusting. Made it to the first big junction at 5 miles at 9am and hung a right to head up Martin Creek Trail toward Cooney Lake. At around 2 miles up this trail I entered the realm of larches. In 3 more miles I came to a junction and went left toward Cooney Lake. From here on motorized bikes are prohibited but mountain bikes are still allowed. I hiked through a golden forest and arrived at the lake at around 10:45. The lake was incredible, surrounded by the larches with the cliffy Switchback Mountain rising above. I hiked along the south shore for a bit and then cut up to regain the trail. From here the trail gets pretty steep as it climbs over 400 feet in 1/3 of a mile up to a 7900' saddle on the SE side of Switchcback Mountain. I ascended up the SE slopes of the mountain, which is fairly straightforward over talus and dirt to the 8321' Bulger List summit (#97 in the state). I returned back down to the saddle and descended down the trail into Merchants Basin, which is a vast open parkland. About 1 mile down from the saddle is a junction with the trail to Sunrise Lake on the right. I continued straight down back to Foggy Dew Trail, staying left at the junction with Navarre Trail. Returned to the trailhead at 4:10, 9.5 hours total for 17 miles and 5k feet of gain. 

More Information on this Trip Report

• http://www.movescount.com/moves/move247079037
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