Saturday morning was somewhat overcast, and 60 degrees out. Coworker Kent was originally going to come out for a short hike to Twin Falls or Rattlesnake or something close, but his daughter’s birthday party was in the afternoon and he decided, or rather his wife decided, he wouldn’t have enough time to come out, hike, and get back before the party.
So my alternate plan was to do the very busy Snow Lake/Gem Lake trail up at Alpental. It is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Alpine Lakes area and relatively close to home. I’ve done it a number of times now and the only thing I tire of is all the other hordes of people. But starting out early does make a difference.
I was at the trailhead at 7:30 and started under an overcast directly above and to the east. It was clear directly above and to the west. But I was in cool comfort all 3 miles to the lake. Near the bottom of the trail to the lake a gray haired lady asked me if I was going to or knew the way to Gem Lake. She said she’d been up to Snow Lake a few times but never made it past a certain point, couldn’t find the trail. I told her I had been there a few times but even though I wasn’t originally planning on going there today, that I’d at least guide her part of the way, if not all. My original intention was to make it an easy day, stop at Snow Lake and turn around. But we were having good conversation, and I kept going and since it was only a couple miles further, AND SO NICE OUT, that we made it to Gem by 10am. She thanked me and at that point we split up and found our own places to rest. I told her I was going to rest about an hour before heading back, she said she’d leave in about a half hour. There were a number of campers at both Snow and Gem lakes which explained the small number of vehicles back at the parking area. And even though I’d gotten an early start there were a handful of other hikers as well. Them I don’t mind, they’re quiet and not too close. Ran into a few people heading out already too. One was a family of 4 with two small children who’d camped the night. One of the kids emphatically warned of all the bugs. But by the time I got to either lake there were really no problems with bugs that I had.
As I rested on some rocks near the water(see center picture above) a little mouse like animal popped up out of the rocks in front of me and allowed me time to snap a picture before ducking away. I’m pretty sure it was a Pika. The clouds began to burn off and the warmth of the sun felt really good. There was a slight breeze which also helped to dry off all the sweat. I ate the sandwich that I’d brought and at 11am decided it was time to head back.
Almost immediately on my way down there was a large group of people coming up. In fact there was at least two groups. Included were what appeared to be 3 or 4 monks in orange robes, mingled in with other regular looking hikers but which they were probably a part of. Kind of interesting to see orange robes with hiking boots. Anyway, a continuous stream of people heading to Gem Lake. I’ve never seen that extension of the trail so busy. When I got back to Snow Lake there were of course even more people so I just kept going. I ran into the lady I guided up, she was talking with another woman, but she introduced us and thanked me again, and I was on my way. Now that it was high noon, or slightly after, the sun was fully out and it was heading towards 80. But it was otherwise uneventful hiking back down to the car. I was glad to get back and out of my boots, with another 10 miles under my belt.