Horseshoe Lake

It’s been a long 15 months since I hurt my knee on the Arizona Trail and I’m finally able to try a little backpacking.  We opt to go on an easy hike in the Trinity Alps to Horseshoe Lake.  Except for the last little push to the lake, it is a very gradual climb.  

There was lots of water along the trail and we enjoyed all the rhododendrons and other flowers that were blooming on this late June weekend.

  

About 5 miles in we took a peek at Foster Cabin.  It is used in the winter for snow surveys. 

There were lots of lovely meadows we walked through.

We arrived a bit late to Horseshoe and after a quick dip in the lake we made camp on the peninsula.  It was a cozy spot.  There were a few other campers scattered around. 

The next morning we hiked over to Ward Lake. 

We fished a little and swam.  This lake had no campers and there was a really nice camping spot on the south side.  Next time. 

We then hiked up to the ridge to the north of the lake and enjoyed the sweeping views.  Our plans were to spend our second night back at Horseshoe Lake, but upon returning to our camp we found ourselves sweltering on our shadeless peninsula. After another swim and some jumping in off the rocks we hiked back down and camped in the trees. 

The wildflowers were spectacular on this trip and we were also pleased that my knee had only very minimal pain that the icy waters soon cured.