Paulina East Lake Loop…
We thought we’d head to Paulina before the seasonal closing of the gate. We started our hike at the Cinder Hill Trailhead, and decided to go counter clockwise. After a bit over 4 miles we went cross-country to tag the summit of North Paulina Peak. After that we headed back down to the trail, then more cross-country straight down to the lake shore trail, where we headed east along the Paulina Lake shore, till we got to the toe of the Inner Lake Flow, a large obsidian flow. We went cross-country up the middle of the flow, which was quite tedious and time consuming, but super fun! We headed straight for an easy entrance to the Central Pumice Cone, where there was once a pumice mine…but no longer there. Still a fun place to navigate through. Once we got through the Central Pumice Cone, we walked the road a bit, then caught the East Lake shore line trail back to the trailhead.
Another fun day outside with my sweet love, Deb.
Hiking across the pumice fields. The signage is for the winter snowmobiler’s.
North Paulina Peak, the small bump straight ahead…
Along the shoreline trail of Paulina Lake…
We stood and watched this small group of American Coot’s for a while.
In the middle of the Inner Lake Flow, stood this old Ponderosa Pine. Near the top you can see what might be a Bald Eagle nest. Also, lots of sticks at the base of the tree…
A shiny chunk of Obsidian, with our reflection…
Scrambling up the middle of the obsidian flow, towards the Central Pumice Cone…
Heading up the cone…
What’s left of the pumice mine…
Along the shoreline of East Lake…
The day’s track…
