We drove to the Wrights Lake Campground area and found parking near the Twin Lakes trailhead. Performed the usual pre-hike rituals and set out for a new adventure in a familiar stomping ground.
The first leg of the trail follows the path to Twin Lakes, so we saw the usual bridge in the morning light.
In the distance, Sue noticed a blue heron and I managed to get a photo of it using the zoom feature.
We were on the route to Grouse Lake, Hemlock Lake and Smith Lake. It would be about six miles with an elevation gain of around 1,200 feet.
The trail meandered between rocky terrain, forest and open landscape. There were quite a few lovely views along the way.
The trip out was predominately uphill, so we took our time as we acclimated to the higher elevation.
Then we were back in Desolation Wilderness. We followed protocol and filled out the pass with our information for the box and attached the tag to my pack in case we became lost or dead or both.
Then we reached the turning point for new views, leaving the Twin Lakes trail and heading for Grouse Lake.
We saw lots of scenic views and lots of scattered rocks and fallen trees.
As we approached the first lake, we saw this sign indicating where you can camp - a permit is needed, by the way, since it's Forest Service land.
And then, voila! We were at the first lake: Grouse Lake. It was nice and quiet, we saw one guy in the distance arranging his pack. We ate our sandwiches and then moved on toward Hemlock Lake.
More rock to ascend and a squirrel.
There were lots of snags as we continued to move upward.
And then we came upon Hemlock Lake - but my picture didn’t come out, so here’s some rocks.
Just before we reached the last one, Smith Lake, we met a friendly couple returning from our final destination. That said it was la beautiful lake. That climb was the steepest, but we were rewarded with a view of the lake. Smith Lake was dammed and looked like rocky landscape meeting water.
At that point, we turned on our heels and followed our steps back to the point of origin.
I noticed some interesting rocks on the way back that had escaped my view coming in.
Under the bridge near Wrights Lake, we saw a duck.
Back in the parking lot, a bit tired from the hike.
Just before we left, I saw a golden mantle who posed for me while I took a few photos. Another nice day in the mountains!
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