TR Day Hike up Rush Creek Trail to Gem Lake 5/12/12
Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 10:38 pm
My husband and 17 year old daughter and I hiked to Gem Lake from Silver Lake last Saturday - our first time on this trail. It was a glorious day, in the low 70's I think, and a pleasant breeze. The trail up to and around Gem Lake was completely clear, bone dry and dusty except for a couple of little muddy spots. Rush Creek was roaring impressively and creating rainbows. It was tempting to walk up the old rail tracks that go up in a straight line (what were they for, does anyone know?) but we stuck to the trail. At Agnew Lake we could see the steep trail going up to the Clark Lakes - some of the upper switchbacks were still under quite a bit of snow. We met some backpackers coming down from the Clark Lakes via Waugh Lake - they said there was still a lot of snow on the ground up there. Agnew Lake was not the prettiest lake, especially as none of the aspens and shrubs had leafed out yet. When we came over the rise to Gem Lake the view improved markedly - there was still a bit of ice on the lake, and in the background the snowy peaks of the Ritter Range (I believe?). We walked around the lake to the trail junction, had lunch and a short nap on the pebbles by the creek outlet and hiked back. Water in Gem Lake was low - I wonder do they drain it in the winter and it's now filling up?
We usually don't get up to the mountains until July or August so this was a treat - it makes the whole season feel much longer .
Some photos:
We usually don't get up to the mountains until July or August so this was a treat - it makes the whole season feel much longer .
Some photos: