On Wednesday we had 7 hikers come out to hike the Fish Lake trail to High Lakes trail shuttle. On the way there, June quickly realized missed the turn on the 37 road and I told her not to worry because I could just show her where to drop the car on the other end of the shuttle if we just stayed on DIM until we got to Highway 140. As we passed the road to turn for the drop off car, we decided it would just be easier if I remained in the car. We dropped hikers off at the trailhead near the North Fork Campground and then went to the High Lakes trailhead off Forest Road 3640. We then had Barry leave his car and ride back with us. The shuttle was around 20 minutes total.

It was a chilly 37° and cloudy as we started on the Fish Lake trail and hiked along the North Fork Little Butte Creek. We passed several camping spots along the way. Doe Point Campground, Fish Lake Campground and then the resort to name a few. We saw someone in a yellow kayak out on the lake. We also saw many different types of mushrooms. I lost count as to how many there were.

We connected to the High Lakes trail and made our way to a spot to have lunch. Shortly after, we passed the PCT and an equestrian crossing. From there, we entered the lava flows. We marveled at how much work must have gone into making the trail through that area. We stopped for our group picture with Mount McLoughlin in the background. It was sad to see that almost every bit of snow that had been on the mountain had melted away. There was some neat frost formations on the lava rocks.

We made it back to our car and had hiked 9.5 miles with 1,227 feet of accumulated gain. Barry and June went back to get the shuttle car while the rest of us visited and Nanci and I did a lot of stretching exercises so the ride back to Ashland would be easier.