We arrived at the trailhead at about 10:30 am to find 15 cars in the lot. Busier than we had anticipated but understandable that people would want to escape into the mountains during a heat wave. However, the heat did not abate. We were hiking in 90 degree temperatures and once at the lake, temperatures never dipped below the high 60s, even overnight. Thankfully, the lake was crisp and cool and swimming was on the agenda.
The trail felt very long in this weather and there are several points where blowdowns required a detour (or a belly crawl for one adventurous member of our group). Social trails around the obstructions were usually fairly obvious. Several forks in the trail also required some discussion but to make it easy, we turned left after the gate, then right, then took left forks the rest of the way to the lake.
There were many stream crossings which were easily navigated and provided opportunities for refilling our water bottles. Highly recommended before tackling the final couple miles of trail which consists of 14-15 unforgiving switchbacks.
We arrived at the lake to find several groups already camped. I estimate at least 5-10 groups had pitched tents and a few more arrived behind us as well. But there are many, many places to set up camp and we found a nice spot near the lake on the northern shore.
Bugs were a near constant menace. DEET helped a little and they settled down in the evening which was good since no fires were allowed (not everyone up there complied however...). But bugs are fish food and I saw a lot of anglers trying to catch one. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever seen so many fishing poles at an alpine lake. Not sure how successful they were though. I didn't witness anyone actually catching anything.
On day 2 we decided to take a day hike. We met a man at a crossroads west of the lake who is best described as a contemporary Gandalf - big hat, white beard and no joke, a hefty wooden staff. He told a tale of a hidden waterfall with icebergs in it and we set out to find it. This also eventually looped us back to the lake and saved us perhaps an hour of hiking so, thanks Gandalf! To find this waterfall, travel west from the lake along the trail about a mile or less until you find a rather sizeable spring flowing across the trail and a cairn marking a trail to the left. Follow this horse trail described by Gandalf as "steeper than a cow's face" and you'll eventually encounter the falls.
The hike out was hot, 95 degrees in the shade. It was far more brutal than expected but we made it to the car with Gandalf close behind. He drove off in a Toyota Tacoma I can only dream he had named Shadowfax.
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