We found Lost Lake

Fragrance Lake trail in the mist

Nine of us Senior Trailblazers showed up for a walk in the rain. The forecast didn't leave much doubt, so everyone was prepared for it, and we discussed our options before starting out. Our scheduled hike was again not a good one for the weather, so we decided to hike to Lost Lake instead, via the Fragrance Lake trailhead.

Turkey tail fungus

Usually we hike up the road to the Lost Lake turnoff, but it's closed at the moment, so we did an out-and-back hike, going both up and down the Fragrance Lake trail. It's very pretty, a bit on the steep side, but it gave us a chance to see this fungus on the side of a log. We didn't see the sun all day, but it was very pleasant nevertheless.

Taking off some of our rain gear

It was raining lightly when we started out, but heading up the steep trail, we realized we were too warm and decided to shed some of our gear, since the rain was nothing we couldn't handle, and the mild weather allowed us to be quite comfy during the first part of our hike. Although we had to stop and put stuff on and off, we were delighted that the rain was minimal.

Kirk, Chris, Richard, Peggy, Al, Jim, Frank (Mel in front)

We made it to our favorite rock in time for lunch, at Lost Lake (behind us). While we enjoyed our lunch, the wind came up and made patterns in the lake and whistled through the trees.

Our lunch spot

The rain picked up at the same time as the wind, so we finished our lunch and began our return trip. It wasn't a long lunch break, but it was fun to sit in relative comfort before heading back the way we had come. However, by the time we started back, the rain and wind were in full force.

The boggy swamp didn't allow for slipping

This particular section of the Lost Lake trail is always challenging, and today was no exception. Nobody fell in, but Al did stick a trekking pole into a spot where it went into the bog alarmingly far. He didn't take that way across after all and found another way. We all made it without incident.

Four ladies' rain gear

I asked Jim to take a picture of the four women who were on the hike, from behind, to get a sense of our degree of wetness, and our preparedness. Rain hats, raincoats, and pack covers made all the difference in our ability to stay relatively dry today.

By the time we reached the cars, we had traveled around ten miles and 2,000 feet up and down. No wonder I'm feeling a bit tired right now; there is nothing more I need to do today, now that my post is written. What's that sound? Oh, that's just my wine calling...
:-)