We got out into the park around 9 o’clock and started on the trail to Baker Lake at 10ish. This was pretty much an all-day affair. About 6 miles in and it was an out-and-back trail. So roughly 12 miles total.
We gained about 3,500 feet over the course of the hike. It wasn’t a death march but there was a fairly consistent incline throughout the entire hike.
The first half of the trail kind of meanders along this small creek and it’s super lush and green around the water. I think we just missed the peak of wildflower season but there was still a good amount of flowers around.
The last portion of the hike has a bit more elevation gain and is just a bunch of switchbacks to a drier forested area until you get to the lake.
The lake itself is just okay but the views of the mountain formations around it are absolutely great. You have this granite mountain surrounding the area – it’s almost like an amphitheater. In the distance, you have Pyramid Peak.
We ate lunch at the lake and hung out there for about an hour and they headed back down. I think the trip in total took about 7 hours. We were pretty tired after the hike and we had another low-key night.