Trip Report
Black Lake
Easy, albeit somewhat brushy, hike to a lovely lake
Carry Porter
- Sun, May 21, 2023
- Black Lake
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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The trail to Black Lake has been neglected for a few years. It is now overgrown to the point that we were thoroughly soaked with dew by the time we got to the lake. We returned with scratches all over our calves and thighs from unavoidable encounters with woody brush. There is also a small tree (approx 6" in diameter) across the trial about 1/4 mile from the parking lot. It is waist-high and has to be straddled to get past. Otherwise, there is no snow or other obstacles worth noting.
On Sunday morning, our group did a lovely hike to Black Lake. The paintbrush was in bloom. Streams were running high but were passable without getting our feet wet. We encountered just two other parties - a pair of day hikers and one overnight group. We didn't stay long because thunderclouds were amassing above the surrounding mountains and we didn't want to get soaked by a rain cell. I was also being harassed by a man in the overnight group who felt it was okay to repeatedly call me names, which was an unfortunate example to set in front of the two high school boys who were with me. (Tip: If you are a white man, please don't bother leaving your tent site to find a capable woman and her two teenage companions and try to instruct us on how to recreate on our shared USFS land.)
TH to Lake: 1 hr 45 min
Lake to TH: 1 hr 15 min