Hidden Lake - Oct. '26 

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On a Saturday, seven of us drove to Plasse's Resort at Silver Lake on hwy 88, and took the uphill walk to Hidden Lakes & back. Some of us tried to reach Hidden Lake in July, on the single track from the Kit Carson Lodge area, but we only got to Granite Lake before turning back, mainly due to due to warm afternoon temps.

Today at the trailhead it was cold, and we saw ice on small puddles, but everyone had gloves & an extra layer, and the immediate uphill slog warmed us up.

On a cloudless & blue-sky morning, it was great to be in the mountains !

	heading out		long uphill		Sierra meadow at 7,500 ft.
		see note 1		< Sugar Pines & Silver Lake overlook >
	Thunder Mtn.		Silver Lake & Desolation Wilderness		Jean
		first look at Hidden Lake		see note 2
	from the lunch spot		on the walk back

note 1- Kathy, Marcia, Diane, Donna, Jean & Rick (left to right)

note 2 - At Hidden Lake, Rick & I were admiring the impressive granite boulders above, imagining how to traverse trough such challenging terrain.   

On AllTrails the Hidden Lake via Plasse Trail  is 4.1 miles rt with 862 ft. of gain, the high point at 7,940 ft. 

Postscript

Two days of rain made the ground soft for walking, a nice outcome, and, Hidden Lake is attractive, even if only 18 inches deep. 

Rick was searching the lake for signs of life, like maybe a small fish leaping ?, but the only creature we saw was a tiny lime green dragonfly.   

On the drive home on hwy 88, once again we stopped at scenic Shot Rock vista & restroom. Later we discussed maybe returning here next year for a freelance walk; some of us have fond memories of such a walk from a previous visit. 

Imagine exploring trail-less scenery through these vast fields of granite ! 

looking west

Tragedy Creek watershed

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