10/3, Saturday. I was picked up from home at 9:30am. We drove along I-90 via Wenatchee. Sunny, but getting more and more hazy around Wenatchee and north. Stopped at Wenatchee River park for a restroom and snack break. Ate lunch at Foggy Dew Creek TH. FSR 4340-20 past Foggy Dew Campground is gravel with potholes, but not terrible. ~14 cars at the TH. ~3400'.
It was warm. Luckily, the trail is mostly in the second growth forest, slowly gaining elevation. Alternating smooth and rocky. I opened and closed my umbrella many times. Fall color was nice. However, dry leaves and dead logs made me worry about forest fire. You can see Foggy Dew Creek from time to time, but mostly never next to the water. About 3 miles in, this waterfall is signed, not at the same place indicated on the map. In about another 2 miles, a 4-way trail junction in the woods. We took the wrong turn left onto a trail that crosses a creek. This trail (Navarre) doesn't exist on my Gaia map (exists on FS map). Only on the way back, we found its sign on the ground.
Continue straight (on Martin Lake trail), soon, the trail goes up steeply for ~half a mile. Luckily it's on the east facing slope, so mostly in shade. Then the grade eases, and we started to see larches. Another half a mile later, we entered a large meadow. I smelled smoke, was wondering if we were coming upon a forest fire. Saw this tent with camp fire. I don't understand why people want to set fire on such a dry and warm day, with a high risk of causing forest fire: dry grass everywhere. We have arrived at Merchant's Basin. Very pretty. We like it so much, that we decided to set up camp here instead of at Sunrise Lake.
Found a spot close to a tiny creek, ~6950', in a clump of trees, looking over the basin. After setting up the tent, walked up to Sunrise Lake (7228'). Saw a large family with a bunch of kids, another tent by the lake outlet. 1 tent on the southern end of the lake. An old couple was collecting firewood. OMG. Again! The lake is a good size. A lot of larch trees here. The ground was covered with yellow needles. Very pretty.
The night was not cold. I fell asleep shortly after eating dinner. Total today: 9 bikers, and 4 tents.
10/4, Sunday
Woke up early. Ate 2 breakfast bars, and went up to Sunrise Lake again. The lake was still in the shade. The larches on the way were bathing in the sun. The ground was covered with golden needles. 2 little girls were playing barefoot.
Packed up and hiked up to Sawtooth Ridge. Very beautiful all along. At the next junction, a pass, you can see Cooney Lake below. We set down our backpacks, turned left towards the ridge. Excellent views, but windy.
After my sandwich, we scrambled up along the ridge to the top of Switchback Mountain. There was someone there already, with a camera and tripod. The view is splendid all along the ridge. Too many peaks that I don't know the names. Scrambled down the mountain closer to the trail.
Down Cooney Lake we went. The best larches. Golden everywhere. Relaxed and ate my 2nd sandwich, before hiking out. Saw more bikers, one motorbike, a few backpackers. Back at the car ~3:30pm.
Driving back via Hwy-20. Stopped at Washington Pass' lookout, admiring the granite peaks and some golden larches.
Next time, maybe try Foggy Dew Ridge trail to make a longer loop.
