Recently, I have returned to the classic book - 100 Hikes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness bi Ira Springs. Trying to check off the few remaining trails I have not done and Ira has never steered me wrong. We went to do a loop starting at Pete Lake trailhead which as usual was very busy when we arrived. We knew we only had the first 1.25 mls before leaving the herds behind (35 + young men from a church group).
Tired Creek- Sadly as soon as you start on this trail there is a tree that is surrounded by tp flowers! Another sign of the women who seem incapable of hiking their tp out. Come on ladies! Trail is very brushy in the first 500 yards but this does not last long and flowers are prolific immediately. 2 downed trees in the short section up to the roadbed. Here is your last guaranteed water source till Quick Creek(just before Waptus Pass). Views start around the road and improve as you climb. 2 downed trees on the switchbacks but easy to get around. Some exposed sections but mostly shaded as you make your way up to the ridge. After the switchbacks you enter a meadow which was exploding in flowers and actually had 2 unexpected water sources to cool off. Neither of these show on a map so they may not be year round. A few mosquitos in this stretch
Polallie Ridge- We took the .25 ml trail to the Polallie Ridge Lookout which is a must. 360 degree views do not disappoint! We returned to the junction and continued down Polallie Ridge where we immediately hit a section of downed trees - way too many to count. Looks like a windstorm uprooted huge sections of trees. Some where older and had been cut others we went up and over, under , or around. Could definitely use some attention in this area. Luckily we were headed downhill as this is a steep section of switchbacks. This lasted for approximately half a mile. Quick Creek was a great water source. It goes underground at the crossing but can be seen above ground just a bit downstream. Camps are located in the meadow area around here. A few mosquitos at the lookout but breeze help keep them away.
Waptus Pass- This section of trail is in great shape with a few downed trees all easy to step over. Several creeks in the upper section.The trail drops off the ridge to Pete Lake on short tight switchbacks in loose rock and exposed to the sun.
Pete Lake- Only a couple of groups camped at the lake and this trail is in excellent condition. This is where the bugs were horrendous! Although covered and sprayed, the bugs followed us the whole way out swarming and biting around our heads. We tried to out run them but nothing worked. Just kept moving the whole time till we reached the safety of our vehicle!
All junctions are signed. What a spectacular loop! Only saw people at the trailhead and at the lake.
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