This is usually a really great loop, but note that August 2026, LOTS of deadfall, big trees over trail between windy Joe and frosty mtn. Very slow going. Clear from top of frosty down to lightning lake, deadfall starts significantly at turnoff to windy Joe fire lookout and over to Mt frosty.
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This is a good hike, which has some decent views. The trail is straightforward and easy to follow.
On this day, it was Easter Monday. The resort had just finished its winter operations the day before. This resulted in only a handful of cars and visits in a day used parking lot. We saw nobody on the trail.
The trail has not seen any post winter maintenance. There was a total of 191 large fallen trees had to be climbed over. Sometimes knowing, but it did add variety like an obstacle course to the hike on the north side of the lake with 3 km remaining was the worst fallen section of trees.
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Many downed trees (47) on the first 1/3 off trail requiring careful navigation.
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Nothing too technical. Beautiful scenery and we caught the golden larches before they dropped their needles. Lots of water sources in the sub alpine areas. Frosty camp was busy but we found a spot no problem and the outhouse needs some attention. Very windy at the top so be prepared for that.
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It was an awesome day for this hike. Started out at around 8:30 am from Lightning Lake day parking with a brisk 3 C temperature and not a cloud in the sky. By the time I got to the larch meadows, 8 or 9 km into the hike in mid-morning, it was well into shorts and t-shirt temperatures. The larches were not yet in their full gold, but almost there, beautifully standing out against the dark rock background of the Frosty peaks. Made the summit in a little over 3 hours, 3 people already there, 2 more joined shortly after. Started back down around noon and ran into several more hikers on their way up. The return along the Windy Joe loop was equally spectacular and warm with far fewer people than on the Lightning Lake side.
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Fairly gradual trail with a few short steep sections. Main groove packed enough for trail runners, but cutting across switchbacks on ways down requires snow shoes and is more fun. Tops out at a decent view looking at the three brothers.
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