Welcome Lake (ok, only made it 1/2 way...) 6-7-14

[Boola]

My wife and I decided to try a new backpacking destination this weekend. We drove to the Elk Lake Creek Trail Northern Trailhead. We were planning to go to Welcome Lakes. We went to go check out Elk Lake Creek before we made the turn to Welcome Lakes (somewhere around 2.5 miles in to the 5ish mile hike). Then we found a spot that we couldn't resist camping at. So, we called it a day and set up camp. There was a trail about 100 yards past the turn on the left. We first found a huge group site with a big fire pit and then continued up the creek and found the spot we stayed at. Perhaps next time we will make it up to Welcome Lake. We had the entire trail to ourselves.

[mattisnotfrench]

Nice report! This is one of my favorite places in the known universe. Glad to see a report - it's been awhile.

How was the road in? Were the potholes car-eating, or just a nuisance?

[Boola]

There were some fairly big potholes. I wouldn't go speed racing but our Forester handled it just fine. A few miles before the trail there was a guy sitting in a chair in the middle of the road guarding some construction equipment. They seem to be actively working on the roads. The roads were not bad at all though.

[miah66]

They seem to be actively working on the roads.

No doubt preparing to log.

[BrianEdwards]

Nice report. That small waterfall and deep green pool is a wonderful spot.

[mattisnotfrench]

They seem to be actively working on the roads.

No doubt preparing to log.

Well, if nothing else they can't log this hike as it's entirely in wilderness.