7.2 miles of hiking • 1500' elevation gain •
I got a last minute invite to join some SAR buddies on a relaxing lunch hike to Gilette Lake. I hadn't done any of my own research on this particular trail so I was surprised and disappointed when I realized much of it was through clear cuts. But it's hard to beat a day on the trail with good people none the less, and lunch at the lake was peaceful. We continued on to a small pond about half mile past Gilette Lake and explored for a few before having to turn around to meet some dinner obligations for the evening. We had been following behind a couple by about 100 yards on the way back to the TH when we came around a corner and they were standing there. The guy asked if we had any bear spray or a gun. He had just seen a cougar less than 100 yards away. I never did get a glimpse of the furry feline, but I don't expect he stuck around that area for long. From there, it was a pretty uneventful, but enjoyed hike back to the TH.
