Twin Lakes Loop - all notes

08/07/2024 sih, cvg Counterclockwise 8.9 miles/4 ½ hours total time Nice walk, only a few people on trail coming in mid-afternoon; no one at the lakes; relatively few cars at the lot on a Wednesday. Water in both lakes exceptionally clear and blue. Excellent huckleberries at juncture with Frog Lake Butte Trailhead (marked). Some large trees down, but easily negotiated. 08/02/2023 sih, cvg Counterclockwise A nice walk. Actually, counter clockwise may be best option. The fairly boring (uphill) walk along gravel road is done first; at least a nice view of Mt Jefferson. Pay attention at exactly 1 mile; trail leaves the road to the left; easy to keep on straight like we did. Numerous over-the-hill cauliflower mushrooms along the trail, probably worth returning earlier in the summer (note that nearby Blue Box trail also produced enough cauliflower mushrooms to cook on walk in early July 2023). Relatively few people on trail, mostly backpackers on PCT portion. No one at Upper Twin Lake at lunch time. 07/24/2021. sih, cvg, pgh Large Frog Lake Sno-Park lot nearly full and lots of people on trail as far as turn off to Lower Twin Lake, but only occasional hikers on remainder of trail. This versions swings off to give nice view on initial south bound leg to Upper Twin Lake. 07/08/2020 (sih, cvg) For a hike without significant views, and very modest summer wildflowers, it's really a very nice option. Mostly gentle grades (except for a little bit of exertion near the end coming away from the lower lake to Frog Lake Butte) through lovely conifer forest on nice wide duff. Up and down legs alternate. Both lakes very appealing; upper lake probably best bet for quiet lunch. Mob of gray jays at the camp area at the lower lake make a living being had fed (unsalted) peanuts, and chipmunks try to muscle their way in on the action. Last bit of route on gravel road; don't go down the trail direction Frog Lake Campground. Modest number of people on trail and around lake; group doing day hike with 15 or so llamas debouching from parking area as we arrived. Very easy access at Frog Lake Sno-Park lot. Definitely do clockwise to take advantage of grade profile.