July 26, Lola Montez Lakes
Last year's pic shows what I like about this hike: the climb from the lower lake to the upper lake. There isn't much trail from the trailhead to the lower lake. What there is, is okay, but it's mostly road. But going to the upper lake is a nice adventure. I found the cutoff easily this time. You do have to know that there is one, and you do have to know about the short vertical climb up the rocks, but then you just follow the ducks that have been set to guide you up. Surprisingly, we had both lakes practically to ourselves. I found a nice spot at the lower lake for some skinny dipping. I like not having to deal with a wet swimming suit. The upper lake didn't offer that luxury. Half the group, five of us, went swimming. That's probably a record.
