Lake Ethel

Originally we had picked out an 18-mile loop hike for today, but we were both feeling a little sore after yesterday's hike.  We decided to pick something with less mileage, and settled on the Lake Ethel trail.  According to an old map I had, I was expecting it to be 3.5 miles to the lake, but when we got to the trailhead the sign said that it was 4.5 miles.  We hadn't allowed enough time for an extra two miles, so we knew that we'd have to turn back before we got to the lake. 

What we hadn't expected was a giant clearcut at three miles in.  The guidebook mentioned that the trail crossed some private property and that we'd see some clearcuts, but I hadn't expected a clearcut right across the trail.  It was a pretty trail until that point, and it was so sad to see a giant slash pile right next to it. 

Mileage = 6