[Bloated Chipmunk]

This wknd. we decided to lakebag it as the forecast looked pretty wet on both the east & west sides of the mtns. Todd & I had wanted to make a return trip to Merritt Lk. ever since our snowshoe trip last March, & Sunday was a good opportunity to see the trail with some fall colors & actually have time enough to make it to the lk. this round. We were joined by MountainMan who was also looking to get out despite the soggy conditions. We met at the Monroe P&R where we got into Todd’s car & were off on hwy. 2. The rain was coming down pretty steadily, & continued as we drove up & over the pass, but eventually lessened as we reached the turn off for the rd. leading to the Merritt Lk. TH. However, once out of the car the rain picked up again, so we donned full raingear.

MM & Todd @ the TH

We started up the trail & the rain lightened again. There were lots of pretty vine maples dropping leaves & parts of the trail were covered with the gold color. Todd’s jacket-over-backpack method once again gave him the nickname Hunchback Gangsta of the Forest.

Hunchback Gangsta of the Forest

We continued on up the trail, noting places where we deviated from the trail in the winter, & took note of the area where the trail crosses to the other side of the ridge. Soon views opened up to the north & we caught a glimpse of Nason Ridge with Alpine Lookout, which we considered going to today if the weather improved & if time allowed.

Across the way @ Alpine Lookout

We reached the junction w/the Nason Ridge trail & headed right toward Merritt Lk. From here the trail flattened quite a bit & took us through pleasant forest, across a couple of creeks & by some big rocks, & then to the pretty Merritt Lk. There was no snow here save for a very small thin patch by the lakeshore. However, light snow was falling from the sky.

Junction

Merritt Lk.

Merritt Lk.

Todd @ Merritt Lk.

Cold Todd

We snapped a few photos & picked out a nice lunch spot among the many campsites. If anyone is ever thinking about camping here, there are several nice flat spots in the trees, though right @ the lakeshore we saw a sign that said "Day use only".

MM & Todd looking cold @ our lunch spot

After lunch the snow ceased & the sun came out.

The sun is out!

Todd scared of the big yellow ball in the sky

Our shadows

Since it was still early & the weather seemed to be improving, we decided to climb above the lake to get some views. We considered going to Alpine Lookout but ultimately decided it'd be cutting it close w/time given the new daylight hrs. so we settled on the little bump just north of the lake, Point 5559' (ish) - depending on whose GPS we trusted. Once the trail reaches the saddle there's some very mild scrambling to get to the top, & nice views once you get there (though it looks like I forgot to take pictures of the views).

Merritt Lk. as seen from above

Can you see him?

Bright lichen

We sat for awhile chatting & shivering while the wind alternated directions & blew snow in our faces @ the same time the sun shined. When we decided we had had enough we got up & picked our way back down to the saddle. We took a few more picture breaks on the way down, & once getting low enough the snow turned back to rain. We made it to the car in no time, then headed to the Mexican place that I like to call "The Margarita Place" in Monroe. Stats: 7-8 mi. RT Elev. gain: Not too much # of other people sighted: Zero Good rainy day hike: Yes! Here are some of Todd's pics:

BC & MM

Alpine Lookout

A camp spot @ Merritt Lk. & mtn.

BC & MM next to a rock

Hidden Fall

[EastKing]

Great TR and pics. Let the fall foliage live on!!!

[Sabahsboy]

Hey, that is one heck of a rock in 2nd last photo! Nice going, guys! I quit when it is too cold or too wet....no wet gear, either....I prefer warm sun and dry conditions for photography...well, except when there is no other alternative, say, "winter"...yikes....it is almost here, now, "winter"! Footnote: went up there once with a kindred spirit. It was near mid-February and no snow was to be found, even well above Merritt Lake. This was back in late '70's, an extraordinary, dry winter. Well, snow began to flake and we headed down. That night a big storm struck the Cascades and snow fell through March into April, nearly equal to the normal snowfall for that date (whatever it was). However, late snows (usually during El Nino winters) don't consolidate and the runoff is early and quick. We shall se what 2008-9 winter will do!

[MountainMan]

Here are some of my pics:

Trailhead

Trailhead

Trailhead

Headed up the trail.

Todd on the trail with Fall colors in the background...

Fran on the trail with Fall colors in the background...

Alpine Lookout from Merritt Lake trail.

Smiling Fran

Junction with Nason Ridge trail.

Nice mossy rock along the trail.

First view of Merritt Lake.

Merritt Lake

Merritt Lake

Merritt Lake

Merritt Lake (snowing)

Merritt Lake (snowing)

Merritt Lake (snowing)

Merritt Lake later when the sun came out.

Todd at Merritt Lake.

Fran at Merritt Lake.

Me at Merritt Lake.

Fran at Merritt Lake.

Fran and Todd at Merritt Lake.

Fran and Jason at Merritt Lake.

Merritt Lake from above.

Gray Jay

Fran and Todd near 5559' summit above Merritt Lake.

Fran on the summit above Merrit Lake.

Looking down the other side of the summit.

Looking down towards the lake as some fog rolls through...

Merritt Lake from 5559' summitt above.

Small short lived rainbow.

Gray jay begging...

One of the many mushrooms along the trail.

Headed back down the trail surrounded by fall leaves.

Snow on a nearby mountain.