10.5 miles of hiking • 1250' elevation gain • 1 night
Went in from Thomas Lake trailhead, camped at Blue Lake for the night. No one else at the lake, it was very quiet. I took some night pictures @ full moon light. Next day I went north on PCT and found the junction with abandoned CCT trail just past Junction Lake, and took it back to Rock Lake. CCT goes through several big meadows, the trail is quite rutted in places - it's clear why it was abandoned. Makes more scenic and non-crowded alternative to the PCT. Fall colors are starting good, and there are still lots of blueberries and mushrooms.
I saw only one other group camping at Rock Lake, otherwise all day hikers, and one group of PCT thru-hikers going north (said them about snow forecast for Goat Rocks on their way ahead, soon they passed me @ maybe 5mph). Hope the weather improves for their hike.
