Back in the day, it seemed the coolest places must be further away and more remote. Lately, I've been enjoying what we have right in close, and it doesn't disappoint. It's also nice that not everything is super difficult to approach. Getting to our first lake takes 7.5 trail miles and 2400' of gain. I packed more fishing gear than needed and sort of regretted the extra weight.
Start out in forest, eventually hit the first meadows and views.
This trail is famous for long switchbacks and flat grades. We took a shortcut we typically do with snow cover and it turned out OK with minor scrambling, minimal brush, ripe berries, and some nice old growth.
The infamous, treacherous Sidewalk. Don't fall!!
And our destination, some 400' below the trail. Just that filters out most of the crowds, and walking and additional half mile to the outlet earns some privacy.
There were a few others around during the day and I just can't understand WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE SO LOUD IN THE BACKCOUNTY, DO THEY THINK EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY? IDK??? But that settled down, and the fishing was good. I brought my Wilderness Lite but really needn't have bothered. I was here last year and caught most of my fish out in the deep zone, but this lake fishes well from shore. Bugs came out to pester us as the light faded, but otherwise weren't bad.
Interestingly, this lake has both Cutthroat and Rainbows such as this chunky specimen which went for a PT nymph.
The Dave Westberg shot, minus bamboo. I really like that TFO six piece. Having a second rod rigged with a dry line is a luxury. The Steffen 7'3 3/4 if fun, but not really a great lake rod.
There is another lake we wanted to look at, so hiked further along the trail, enjoying the views.
And up a loose, steep side trail to look way down there at this lake which is reported to be stocked with Golden Trout.
Maybe another day. All in all, I was a bit whupped by the time we got back to the car despite my pack "only" weighing #30+. It's almost like I'm getting older or something.
Start out in forest, eventually hit the first meadows and views.
This trail is famous for long switchbacks and flat grades. We took a shortcut we typically do with snow cover and it turned out OK with minor scrambling, minimal brush, ripe berries, and some nice old growth.
The infamous, treacherous Sidewalk. Don't fall!!
And our destination, some 400' below the trail. Just that filters out most of the crowds, and walking and additional half mile to the outlet earns some privacy.
There were a few others around during the day and I just can't understand WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE SO LOUD IN THE BACKCOUNTY, DO THEY THINK EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY? IDK??? But that settled down, and the fishing was good. I brought my Wilderness Lite but really needn't have bothered. I was here last year and caught most of my fish out in the deep zone, but this lake fishes well from shore. Bugs came out to pester us as the light faded, but otherwise weren't bad.
Interestingly, this lake has both Cutthroat and Rainbows such as this chunky specimen which went for a PT nymph.
The Dave Westberg shot, minus bamboo. I really like that TFO six piece. Having a second rod rigged with a dry line is a luxury. The Steffen 7'3 3/4 if fun, but not really a great lake rod.
There is another lake we wanted to look at, so hiked further along the trail, enjoying the views.
And up a loose, steep side trail to look way down there at this lake which is reported to be stocked with Golden Trout.
Maybe another day. All in all, I was a bit whupped by the time we got back to the car despite my pack "only" weighing #30+. It's almost like I'm getting older or something.
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