Past trip reports for this destination describe difficulty in reaching the base of the ascent from the Dingford Creek trail. This short leg of the trip now seems so obvious and insignificant, I can see why it has escaped specific description. But on the way up, as others have reported, I found it to be an irritating timewaster. Lest you waste your time on this missing link, here is a very truncated TR from my recent experience under late summer conditions.
Upon reaching the low brush at the far south end of the Myrtle Lake basin (well south of the lake proper) a four-way trail intersection will be encountered. The north branch soon crosses the outlet of the lake and continues north to some campsites with decent lake access. The west branch accesses a campsite or two that have no decent lake access, however, the trail continues west to one of the least grassy portions of the muddy lakeshore. The east branch drops slightly to intercept the outlet creek a little farther downstream from the lake's southeast shore.
To completely bypass the unremarkable lake, take the right-hand (east) trail segment at the four-way stop and connect with (Dingford) creek. Turn right and rock hop downstream. Notice an obvious left-hand (eastern) braid in the rocky creek channel. During high-volume conditions, this east channel apparently shunts a portion of Dingford’s flow toward the sizeable marsh sitting in a basin at 3720 feet.
Veer left and walk down the rocky channel to the north end of Marsh 3720. Head south, to the most southerly portion of the marsh, skirting the sponginess to the east as needed. At the far south end of the marsh, the remnants of a couple of fallen trees will be seen near the grass/brush boundary. The larger, more westerly, more decayed log provides a pretty good pointer, directing the hiker south, through a short, level strip brush where the western base of the boulder field awaits. However, the guidance afforded by the log is not critical. The boulder (not to be confused with coarse talus) field will be evident through the grove of tall conifers south of the marsh.
"Profound serenity is the product of unfaltering Trust and heightened vulnerability."
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"Profound serenity is the product of unfaltering Trust and heightened vulnerability."
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