We did what we could to escape Ashland's triple-digit heat, including changing our start time from 8:30 to 8:00 am. Unfortunately, not everyone got the message about the change. But as we were offloading in the shady 65-degree TH parking area, a third car caught up with us, giving us 10 hikers for Monday's hike.

We were at the Cold Springs TH to start our exploratory loop hike to view five different lakes.

It was a bright sunny day, and the position of the sun did affect our choice of the route. At 10 am, as we came through the shady forest and into the burnt forest from a 2017 wildfire, we felt the sun on our backs.

The burnt areas were being restored with lush vegetation and new trees, including some Aspens.

To minimize our exposure to the sun, we turned right at the intersection and followed the Rocky Creek Trail in a counter-clockwise direction around the loop.

We first came to the Heavenly Twin Lakes, one on either side of the trail. The 2017 fire had come down to the far side of the first lake, and its advance was stopped there.

We had a water break and a rest stop between the two lakes.

Ripe Huckleberries were along the trails to enjoy.

Next, Lake Elizabeth came into view as we turned right by a tree that had a sign for Isherwood Lake. At Isherwood, we stopped for lunch, and three of our hikers went swimming. Linda swam across the big lake and back.

Our last lake was the beautiful Natasha, which has the clearest and cleanest water in the Sky Lakes. We had our group photo there.

After the five lakes, we start the hike back with ups and downs through both shade and sun. The sun bringing heat into the 80s was a bit draining, but all made it back to the parking area and some stopped at Cold Springs to refill water bottles. For Monday's loop around the five lakes, we hiked 7.4 miles with 500' of elevation gain.

It was a memorable hiking adventure.

Arriving back in toasty Ashland at 4 pm, it was 103 degrees!

Note: A hike change for next Monday. We'll leave at 8 am for a new hike on Mt Shasta. We'll hike in Panther Meadows, then on Grey Butte. It should be 6 miles up and back with 1000' of gain.

Happy Trail,
Rich