Blue Lake — Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023

Yes, there is still some lingering wildfire smoke on the drive east toward Blue Lake (around the Sourdough fire area and near Blue Lake).  There was some smoke drifting on the highway between Rainy Pass and the Blue Lake parking lot, and I could smell smoke in the lot when I arrived at 9 a.m., but within a quarter mile hiking it was gone and my asthma was no longer bothered by it.  As others have noted, the sun goes away pretty early (about 3 p.m.) up at the top, so the views are best in morning hours.  The trail is in great shape--not dusty this year--and larches are at their peak right now.  Mountain goats suddenly popped out right next to us on the trail.  Please don't follow them off trail to take pics, as one fellow was doing.  Bring toilet paper for the parking lot pit toilet if you plan to use it in the p.m.  Parking will be madness this weekend!  Worth it.