Escondido Lake, Pete Lake & Waptus Pass — Thursday, Jul. 21, 2022

I had planned on making this an overnight, but there was a very large group of horsemen in $500 cowboy cosplay outfits taking up the entire lake. The only place to camp was a squishy, marshy spot with no shade. Good thing I love backcountry horsemen, who do so much to keep our trails maintained.

I could have camped at Pete--it had been crowded af when I'd passed by in the morning, at 9:30 a.m., but when I got there again at 3 p.m. it was pretty quiet. However, I've been having shoulder issues and didn't want to risk sleeping on the ground when I was so close to the TH.

Someone was shooting a semi-auto near the TH, which really messed with the dogs. I wish there were someplace in america that you could go and not get fkkn shot at. 

My app said I hiked 21.3 miles, fully loaded.

I generally stay out of Alpine Lakes, and every time I decide to go I remember why I don't. Beautiful area. Too many people.