5.5 miles of hiking • 2250' elevation gain •
When the rains did not materialize today I decided to head out for a quick hike up to Independence and North Lakes off the Mountain Loop Highway. Fog was lingering at about the 4000 foot mark but there was no rain, and the sun even made a few brief appearances. Heading along the trail one is struck how aged and peaceful it is here. The trees were clearly elder statesmen, sporting grandpa's beards, graying barks, and bare patches here and there among their branches. One enterprising chipmunk had a mouthful of grandpa's beard as he scooted along a fallen tree, not even stopping for a posed photo. The trip to Independence Lake is an up and down one, but it is short and relatively painless. Arriving at the lake one gets the impression this is a wonderful spot for a summer's swim, perched as it is beneath Independence Mountain and surrounded by the forest. Heading north along the west shore of the lake one's eyes begin looking up: after all, that is where you need to go if you want to get to North Lake. The trail is found at the northeastern end of the lake and immediately begins climbing. The going can be tough, crossing as you do scree fields and roots, wet from the morning mist and thus slippery. Some good soul has taken to tacking up a few directional signs to keep us on the right path. At about 4900 feet elevation a climber's trail to Independence Peak heads off to the right. The way can be steep and tricky but the views of the surrounding peaks with North Lake in the basin below are well worth it. There was a bit of snow but nothing to worry about; however, snow flurries did begin to fall while I lingered. If you stay on the main trail to North Lake you will hike a 100 feet or so below a ridge line. Head up here if you want to tackle Bluegrass Butte northwest of North Lake; otherwise, you will soon begin dropping down to the North Lake, passing pretty trail side tarns along the way. The way to the lake is 700 feet down, and there is not a lot of room to wander down there. I chose to take a brief respite at 4700 feet on a nice boulder offering tremendous views and then, with temperatures dropping quickly, I called it a day and headed back to the trailhead, but not before enjoying the beauty and solitude of this area.
