Hiking to Secret Lake

Took the family to that Secret Lake from last year to ease Amy into the hiking season. Absolutely perfect weather! The mountains were CRAWLING with people on this first-weekend-after-school-ended. People were literally camped 100 feet from I-90. But not many people know about this Secret Lake.

We hiking up the fisherman's trail, watching out for Devil's club and bears. We saw one guy hiking out with a plant in his hands. I was SO proud of both Amy and Casey for making the tough hike. Amy was a little under the weather so for a while I carried all three of our packs.

When we arrived the lake we had it all to ourselves. Over the winter I had ordered a 7-piece, packable fly rod from Cabelas. I set it up for Amy and then Casey and I went exploring.

On the far side of the lake there is a funky little fort made on the talus slope. Also, Casey saw a brown newt. Looked like the same species that I saw at Lake Father's Day last week.

It took an hour to get back to truck -- we were all tired when we got home and we ate ravenously. The adventures are coming fast this time of year. Woo-hoo!