This isn't one of the harder hikes I do but the reward is such a great location.
Do you have a favorite hike you've been on perhaps more than once?
I've only done this hike 3 times but I'd love to do it again a couple times this year.
DETAILS
This is a 6.7 mile hike with 2700+ ft of elevation gain. I think with lots of photostops it takes a while. But luckily stopping is dual purpose pictures and catch my breath when i'm usually carrying a 30-40lb bag with about 20-30lbs being camera stuff. If i'm gonna do it ... i'm gonna do it well.
If you want more details check out ALL TRAILS
Probably one of the things that makes this hike one of the more popular trails is that the trailhead is like 15 minutes from the city... if that.
THE REFLECTIONS
Obviously one of the things that I aim for when I go up there is to get some nice reflection shots. So either early morning or in this case we got some nice calm waters for a little while around sunset and part of twilight.
| Reflections | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|
It's not always perfectly still but with some long exposures it still provides a nice shot
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE HIKE
- It's pretty exposed for afternoons so could be really hot
- Temps could drop fast in evening
- You could bring a water filtration but you the middle part of the hike doesn't have much
- The path has plenty of rocky and skinny spots
- Snow lasts on the trail until into the summer
- plenty of people still snow shoe it in winter and spring
- There are some peak hikes from this location (i've never done them)
- There are 2 other smaller lakes near it
- walking around the lake is doable but there are water crossings
- you can get in the water but it's dang cold... and on a summer day that may be awesome
- Best shots of the mountain are SOUTH facing so milky way can be nice
- Take a hammock and hang out up top
- Photographers should really consider an overnighter to get sunset / night shots / and sunrise all in one
FALL COLORS
These pictures are from a hike i did mid september of last year.
I'll try to share a few aspects of the hike in pictures.
If you have any questions about the hike or location specially from a photographers perspective... just ask away!
I went just a bit before most of the leaves started turning. For sure before the aspens turned
But we had some of the maples turning on this hike
LOOKING BACK
The lake is awesome but the other direction is pretty epic as well
This would also be the direction of the sunset during the Summer. So worth being up on this ridge to be able to see both directions.
THE MOUNTAIN
Even without the lake in the shot this location would be amazing.
But of course the lake does add a lot to the picture
The whole range is pretty great to get ... with a wide angle or as a panorama.
THE TRAIL UP
Actually we camped up there and had to hike down in some pretty strong rain.
Thanks to my friend Jessica for joining me on the hike last year