East Boulder Lake

Monday we revisited East Boulder Lake for the first time since July of 2019. For five in the group it was their first time seeing this pristine alpine lake.

Last Friday we scouted the hike up to Middle Boulder Lake starting at the horse corral TH. The idea was to take the Boulder Tie Trail over to East Boulder after lunch at Middle, but that trail proved sketchy and lost in countless shrubs. Also, there had been a massive wildfire in the region since our 2019 hike and the route up from the Middle Boulder Lake TH was through acres of burnt trees.

So for Monday it was plan B, parking at the East Boulder Lake TH on FS 39N10 and hiking up 1250′ through a preserved shaded forest, saved from the fire and then up the stone path next to the creek to our lake destination.

There was some huffing and puffing heading up to the lake, but then an easy stroll walking around the lake and finding our lunch spot with great views and a gentle breeze.

There was still some floral color on the stony creek path that was irrigated by lake runoff.

On the way back down we met about 40 Black Angus cows stradling the path in a meadow. What to do? Well immediately Joe went into ranch hand mode and got big, then made some cattle moving sounds that did the trick as all but one moved off to our left. That one was left for me to handle as human and cow were in a stare down. Then, instinctively I started clapping my hands and startled, she ran off to the left to join the other bovines.

We were back to the cars by 1:30 having completed 5.5 miles on this our last hike of the Summer.

Next week we’ll turn the page to Fall and do the final part of the Layton Mine Ditch Trail in Williams with pie at Pennington Farms likely to follow.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Linda, Randy