This summer has been the season of the lakes for me. My activity of choice changes with the seasons, and summer is reserved for hiking as many places as possible. While I prefer hiking in the fall, summer hiking means I am far more likely to submerge myself in a body of water. I have managed a few more lake hikes since I last posted, one of which I swam in.
All of these hikes I have done before (and blogged about!) so I will share the link to the previous adventures because I like looking back in time.
First up I ventured to the Olympics for a tromp up to Lake Angeles. I did not swim in this lake because it was under 65 and I was a wimp. We did see one swimmer, and I commend him for his bravery. Caitlin, Duncan, and I had a lovely time on this adventure. We saw a multitude of frogs, very few other humans, and had coffee and ice cream after we finished. I was wild and chose a honey lavender flavor, but it did not sit well. This is why I stick to vanilla.
Hike Highlight: spending time giggling with my two favorite people. Read about my last venture to Lake Angeles here. (I was much more philosophical in that post. lol.)
Next up was a trek to my favorite alpine lake within the Alpine Lake Wilderness. I used to embark on this trail solo after a long week working at Starbucks, and it holds a very close spot in my heart. I wrangled up three of my coworkers (including Caitlin because duh) and we headed to Melakwa Lake on a Friday morning.
I almost didn’t make it out the door however, because look at what I had to say goodbye to…
I warned my other two coworkers who had not been hiking much that this trail was relatively steep, but they were up for the challenge. Despite the fact that I had done this trail many times, I had not been since they reconstructed the parking. I was thrown off by this and ended up taking us on the adjacent trail adding another 2 miles to our day.
While this made for a longer hike overall, I was jazzed we made this detour because I had never ventured down this other trail. This 2 mile out and back leads to Franklin Falls, and I can’t believe I never took the time to make this detour on my last few visits to Melakwa Lake.
We managed around 12 miles total this day, and while one of my pals was in a good bit of discomfort after, she is still up for another adventure. We spent just enough time at the lake for three of us to swim, snack, and SAVOR the surrounding beauty! No ice cream after this hike, how sad for me.
Hike Highlight: swimming in my favorite alpine lake. Read about my last trek to Melakwa Lake here.
Next up was a stroll to Snow Lake, one of the most popular trails in the Alpine Lake Wilderness. I was quickly reminded why I do not hike this trail on a weekend, alas I wanted my Monday – Friday working boyfriend to go with us on this hike. I also saw a woman hiking up with a cat in a mesh backpack, so I guess it was worth it.
We started early making the hike up pleasant because we didn’t see many people. We secured the perfect spot on a rock by the lake to drool over the view before heading back to the car. This hike is more of a moderate one, which is partially why it’s so popular. Caitlin, her pup Poncho, Duncan, and I ventured off for this stroll on a Sunday. Never again.
This was another chilly day so we did not swim in this lake either, which is a bit of a bummer. Last summer Caitlin and I hiked to Snow Lake, and continued on further to Gem Lake where we did swim. I have yet to swim in Snow Lake, so next year it will be a must. Coming back down after we enjoyed our snacks was a nightmare. There were more people than a big city train station and I was loosing my mind. No more popular weekend hikes for me, sorry Duncan. Also no ice cream after this. I am deprived.
Hike Highlight: cat in a backpack. Read about my first stroll to Snow Lake here. So young, and my photo quality was so, so bad.
Lastly a quick honorable mention. My mom spent a week in Glacier with one of her girlfriends last month, which meant I got to stay home with my sister. For those of you who don’t know, my older sister has autism. My mom and I tag team taking care of her, and while she will never be fully independent she is relatively high functioning.
She loves going on adventures, and was keen on the idea of going for a hike with me and Duncan.
We took her to a moderate trial, and while I dressed her myself I was shocked to discover just minutes before arriving at the trail head that she had changed out of her Nike shoes and into her Converse shoes. I refused to turn back, so we hoped for the best. Turns out she was more eager than both of us to get to the top (perhaps because Duncan told her she could have a Beanie Baby from our bin in the garage after), and her shoes worked fine.
Hike Highlight: watching her trail blaze like a pro.
Q: Do you prefer savory or sweet after a long physical endeavor?
Blissfulbritt 
31 thoughts on “Summer of the Lakes”
niall
Savoury or sweet? Why choose? Have both! 🤣
Brittany
Honestly, you’re so right. Often times I do find I crave a juicy burger and fries after a full day of hiking, but I’m often deterred by the known aftermath. Once every blue moon however I will brave the food hangover for the delicious ten minutes of indulging.
Rootchopper
I think we bike tourists are devoted ice cream eaters. Someday, I’d like to do a Tour de Dairy Queen. Vanilla cone dipped in chocolate is my go to.
Brittany
Tour de DQ sounds like a gut bomb waiting to happen. I can’t remember the last time I had DQ, but I loved their butterscotch Dilly Bars once upon a time. 🤤
Rootchopper
Now that you mention it. soft serve ice cream does kind of mess with my tummy.
Brittany
Perhaps it’s the ingredients listed on DQ website for vanilla soft serve: Milkfat And Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Guar Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate.
Who am I to gatekeep ice cream though, you like what you like!! I will say, a good quality vanilla ice cream tastes MUCH better. Albeit more expensive.
Duncan
Salt and vinegar chips after a hike hits the spot every time, more specifically, the bag you always bring that I always pillage.
It is always a blast to adventure with you, here’s hoping for plenty more!
xoxo
Brittany
You always share the chips, and that’s what really matters. ❤
Grace @ Cultural Life
Such beautiful trails!
I am partial to savoury snacks, but ice cream after a walk sounds like a delicious and refreshing reward.
I tried energy gels last year when I hiked the Yorkshire 3 Peaks but would not recommend! They didn’t make me feel very good.
Brittany
Ohh no!! I had an energy gel once in my life, and never again for me. I nearly choked on it. I can only imagine how they’d make me feel these days. Lolol.
Atheria
Cats DO know how to guilt us! Little’s face just killed me and I’m not the mom! Once again, Washington State is sooooo gorgeous and you are lucky to have such great friends (and stud muffin) to hike with. My sister and significant other are going to Walla Walla in October so I’ve shown her your blog to get prepped with. 🙂 Now they are going for wineries, but should hike too to burn off the calories. LOL! I didn’t know about your sister and it’s wonderful that she had such a great time with ya’ll. Should I ship you some non-dairy ice cream? Hehehe…
Brittany
Walla Walla is an entirely different climate! Eastern Washington is much more desert like, but I do enjoy visiting. A good place for wineries.
Little looks like a BABY in that photo, it killllss me too!!!
There are so few vegan ice creams that don’t make me feel like trash these days. It makes me so sad. But I do still eat it sometimes!
Peg
I thoroughly enjoyed your post about your lake hikes, and your pictures are stunning! Personally, I don’t do much physical activity anymore, just walking is a struggle since I broke my kneecap, but I would have to say if I did take a hike at this point, I would go for the ice cream, since it is something I rarely have.
Peg
I thoroughly enjoyed your lake hike post, and your pictures are stunning! My partner and I used to hike a lot when we first moved here (before we got jobs) and it was so much fun. Alas, that was 17 years ago and we are now too old and decrepit to do it. And walking for me is challenging enough since I broke my kneecap in April. However, after any sort of physical activity, I would always choose ice cream, because it is something I rarely get to eat (calories). Also, as ever, your pictures are stunning!
Brittany
I’m so sorry you’re struggling with a broken knee cap, I cannot imagine how painful that must be. Is there any fix for that??
I too rarely eat ice cream, so it feels extra special after these adventures.
Peg
I must apologize for leaving 2 (now 3) comments! I have a hard time leaving a comment, but it’s probably due to user error. LOL
Brittany
It’s all good! Happens to me too haha.
C.A. Post
I recall swimming in late July in Lake Constance on the Austrian border of the lake. The thermocline was at less than a meter (three feet) down. So as long as one remained prostrate in a swimming position, you could feel the 70⁰F temperature (21⁰C) very comfortably. But if you tried to tread water in a vertical position, your feet found themselves in 50⁰F (10⁰C) water‼️🤠
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Brittany
What a fun sensation and experience! I’ve only swam (more like laid down in) one Austrian lake, and it was FREEZING. But much welcomed after a VERY hot hike.
Diana
Crowded or not, Snow Lake looks incredible. Those reflections are amazing!
Brittany
This angle of the lake was probably my favorite of all the times I’ve been. I could have sat on that rock all day!
Amy
Sweet!!! Forever and always sweet for me. (Total shocker, I know! 😂) I have a feeling that my mom would LOVE your post-hike ice cream rewards and insist on making sure you got every single one… As long as she got to tag along too!
That photo of your sweet fur baby in the window — heart MELTING. I’d be so tempted to turn back around and stay home if my little lady did the same thing!
Also… Kind of random, but I’m obsessed with my Converse. They’re super comfy and hit my arches just right, and I can easily walk 10+ miles in them without any issues. Granted, that’s walking not hiking on dirt trails… So I’m really glad your sister was fine for her special hike!!
Brittany
Wow about your Converse! Honestly I had to check myself and remember people walk and hike in all types of shoes. She said she changed the shoes because the Converse were more comfortable. It was a hot day so the dry dirt had her slipping on steeper parts, but we made it work. LOL.
I can’t with that photo of Little. He looks like a tiny baby and I want to squeeze him. Those eyes.
Sweet for me too, although sometimes I do crave a good salty something. Your mom can always tag along for ice cream!
Amy
It’s always the eyes… Those sweet little kitty and puppy eyes tug on my heart strings EVERY SINGLE TIME. Impossible to resist! ❤️
gpavants
Hi Brittany,
Sweet! Miss hiking. Hope we all get back. Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
I hope so too!
gpavants
Got in backpacking this weekend.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
That’s awesome!
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Pree
I prefer both!!! I always used to love ending my long runs at coffee shops that had gargantuan donuts when I ran in LA 😂
Now I’m too impatient and just wanna go home and shower before doing anything lol
Brittany
Oh man, I loved ending runs with epic treats too. These days I also just go home, but more so because epic treats make me feel like epic trash!