The Alpine Lakes - On a gray westside day, I headed east to sunshine and one of my favorite day loops, a 16-mile route to Pete Lake (#1323), climbing up to Escondido Lake, then back across Pollalie Ridge (#1309) to the Tired Creek Trail (#1317) which connects back into the Pete Lake Trail 1.4 miles from the trailhead. The trail to Pete Lake is a relatively flat and easy 4 miles and the work starts once you venture north on Trail #1329 and begin the uphill climb towards Waptus Pass. I've always enjoyed a side trip up to Escondido Lake, but was surprised to find that this trail has gone unmaintained for some years and appears to have been abandoned. Still, I made it to the lake which is a pleasant and quiet hideout. Horses have massacred stretches of the trail from the Escondido Lake turnoff to Waptus Pass. AFter leaving this Pass on trail #1309, its a stiff, long and dry climb up the west face of Pollalie Ridge, but you're rewarded by one of the nicest viewspots around at the former lookout site just uphill of the junction with the Tired Creek Trail. I had this spot entirely to myself and enjoyed the sunshine and incredible views for over an hour. Descending a long 3.2 miles down the Tired Creek trail completes the loop back to the Pete Lake trail. For a sunny Saturday in August, there was an unusually light number of vehicles at the trailhead, maybe 8 or so.

Got the five year old and mom out for a couple of nights on the trail, sort of a late start on Thursday so we opted for Pete lake. Having never been on this trail it was a pleasent and easy four miles up to the lake. Very little elevation gain and many a creek holding the wonders of frogs and small fish to keep a little boy walking forward. A big plus when Dad is carrying the megapack and does not wish to have the five year old in his preferred sitting spot... ie. on dads shoulders. A pleasent camp by our selfs on the shores of Pete lake lead to a nice day hike the next day up past Lemah meadows and views of Chimmey rock and snow fields in which dads boots craved to feel the crunch of. Saw several forest service crews out doing trail work'''' my trail pass at work perchance' and met some of the Backcountry horse man packing up bridge timbers for some work near Spectacle lake. Camp friday night had a bit more company as expected for such a easy trail. Sat morning found us enjoying the trail out with the five year old back in his preferred spot of travel ""the top of the pack"" well its good training I tell my self. I confess to being startled when I view the black of gun barrels sticking up above bushes soon seen to being carried by two youthful sorts. I held back from a variety of responses and politely asked why they might be carrying armament in such a place. They replied ""protection""..... and marched off Hmmmmm I then deftly tried to answer questions from the five year old concerning this and soon we were back down to the trailhead.

This trail is open and in good condition (except for some seriously muddy areas), and the area is totally snow-free except for some well-hidden patches in dark corners of the forest. There is a fair amount of horse activity, including manure. Many stream crossings offer a choice between a shallow ford and an easy footlog. There are flies/mosquitoes, but not nearly as many as one would expect. The 8-mile RT day hike can be done briskly in 3 hours (but would take longer with a heavy pack!) Almost no net elevation gain, but the micro ups and downs probably double the 300' indicated by Spring and Manning. (no big deal, but be prepared if you decide to bring your grandchildren)

Hiked up to Pete Lake from Cooper Lake campground. An easy round trip of 8 - 9 miles. The trail was in excellent shape and dry; although somewhat dusty in places. Beautiful lake with lots of fish rising but not much luck catching them in the middle of the day. Lots of horse traffic on the trail.