This trail says 10.8 but my GPS tracked 12.1. A close up of the Black Buttes as the sun sets. Sprout purchased Skurka’s mapset and guidebookfor the hike, which was invaluable. I am taking my kids here on Wednesday, looking for an update on Trail and Lake conditions, backpacking into Glacier Lake or 5 Lakes Basin. Ethan and Cody contemplate another climb. Through pine bulk and slender needle-sprays; Trail to Glacier Lake was easy to follow, trail to Five Lakes Basin was not. Not sure where that extra mile came from. Well marked trail the entire time. We had a good time so did the dog! Massive cumulus clouds spoke of lightning and thunder and rain and hail— of the incredible power of nature. It went with the territory of who he was and what he believed. What insect could resist this brightly colored Red Mountain Heather that I took a close up of along the Glacier Lake Trail. Nice trail. Great hike. Will definitely be back to explore more and go backpacking out here once it warms up a bit! Hiked this trail from the Grouse Ridge Campground trail head. I highly recommend! 7-6-2019: There are still too much snow on the trail. We swam in Island lake, Five lakes Basin and glacier lake. Other than that, didn't see any bugs the whole day. Near a small lake in the Rock Lakes Basin, go right at a T intersection, then go left at the next T intersection, while ascending to the Frazier Turnaround campground. I went into the Basin on the Sand Ridge Trail when I backpacked in with my family. In the beginning: It sounds almost biblical. At this time of year the water is warm, and we enjoyed swimming. (I was raised in a small town just outside of Placerville.). Miracles are what have been pulling people into Christianity for millennia. I hiked this series of trails last Thursday, 9-26-19. The lake is most easily passed on the east side, and from there it is easy travel to the base of Goat Mountain’s upper slopes. Best part is coming up the rise about 10 minutes before you arrive at Glacier Lake -- you are greeted by the Black Buttes right in front of you, and it is awesome! Jesus changes water to wine, feeds five-thousand people with two fish and five loaves of bread, walks on water, heals the sick, revives the dead, and ascends to Heaven. Grouse Lake is located 4.7 miles from the Grouse Creek Trailhead in the Holy Cross Wilderness. I helped achieve the non-motorized status for the area in the 1970s when I was serving as Executive Director of the Sacramento Ecology/Environmental Center. Exploring the world with Curtis and Peggy Mekemson, Backpacking in the Five Lakes Basin-Grouse Ridge area, Meet Bone: World Traveler, Fearless Adventurer, and Sex Symbol, In the Beginning… A Reflection on the Grouse Ridge-Black Buttes-Five Lakes Basin Area. Location: UNIT - Pacific Ranger District, Placerville Ranger District, Truckee Ranger District, Lake Tahoe Basin Mgt Unit, Carson Ranger District. Afterwards, continue the circuit up onto Sand Ridge Trail -- again, some elevation gain, but not terrible. It was nice and refreshing. One member of our group returned from our trip to find a slow leak in his back tire despite driving a truck. Conveniently three hours from Salt Lake City International Airport or thirty minutes from Rock Springs, you'll find the House of Grouse in the Green River Basin; shaped by the influence of the Uinta, Wind River, and Wyoming mountains, eighteen miles from the Green River. The instructions are easy and SEKI has always been helpful. Only saw a couple people on the trail (with super cute dogs so no complaints!) I saw a few people by Feeley Lake at the beginning, and a few more at the end -- otherwise, I had the entire trail to myself for the day. We got lost a few times. It was still snowy when we were there, so good GPS through AllTrails was key. From the Copper Creek trailhead, gain 5,000 feet in 6 miles (option: camp partway at Lower or Upper Tent Meadows) to the last switchback before the pass into Granite Basin. The Grouse Lakes area is truly the “land-o-the-lakes.” A long but rewarding loop hike will bring visitors within view of more than fifteen lakes of all sizes, and to the shores of seven. The following day we did a day-hike to the 5 lakes which would have been very difficult with packs on! The Grouse Lakes area has a number of good hiking trails, although it isn’t the easiest area to get to. The dog enjoyed the trail. I should have said, “Thanks, I’ll do that,” and moved on. There were a lot of bugs, which was fine but would be more fun with bug spray. but, bring bug spray. There are at least three developed campsites at Five Lakes. But I couldn’t help myself. 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