Ten of us were off at 8:00 AM and arrived at the Cold Springs trailhead in the Sky Lakes Wilderness at 9:30 am. We started with temperatures in the 70’s on a sunny day for the last Friday Mod hike before Labor Day.
Pink fireweed was striking against the charred conifer skeletons as the area continues to recover from the 2017 fire. At the first sign we headed left onto the Sky Lakes trail. There is much new growth in white pine, fir and hemlock. Two Canada jays and a white woodpecker darted around the pines.
The trail continues through shady conifers beyond the fire damage and past the rocky areas. Color of the day was magenta and the magenta-clad hikers gathered for a photo-op on a fallen log. Note: Do not take the Deer Lake trail on the left as we met still another hiker that had spent 2 hours on that trail trying to find Natasha Lake.
We continued the Sky Lakes trail through the dwarf grouseberry plants to the emerald-green lake jewel, Natasha. Some hikers swam and reported that the water was “cool and crisp” and “somewhat “north of refreshing”. The water was crystal clear. Others cooled their feet in the chilly water, and everyone enjoyed lunch admiring our favorite lake.
After lunch some hikers continued along the trail to the Elizabeth and Isherwood Lakes. We met a few hikers and family groups planning to spend the Labor Day weekend along the lakes. We returned via the same Sky Lakes route back to the Cold Springs trailhead with the hope to soon return. Total mileage: 6 to 7 miles
Kay
-
1.AHG Sky Lakes Wilderness Hike, 30 Aug 24, Fig3
-
2.AHG Sky Lakes Wilderness Hike, 30 Aug 24, Fig1
-
3.AHG Sky Lakes Wilderness Hike, 30 Aug 24, Fig4 2
-
4.IMG_2336
-
5.
-
6.AHG Sky Lakes Wilderness Hike, 30 Aug 24, Fig5
-
7.Natasha
-
8.IMG_2363
-
9.AHG Sky Lakes Wilderness Hike, 30 Aug 24, Fig9
-
10.AHG Sky Lakes Wilderness Hike, 30 Aug 24, Fig12
-
11.AHG Sky Lakes Wilderness Hike, 30 Aug 24, GROUP PHOTO
-
12.Elisabeth
-
13.Isherwood
-
14.Isherwood
-
15.IMG_2396
