Phlox is blooming at the top of the trail, and I was feeling creative, so I got down on the ground to take an "ant's eye view" of the flowers with the lake behind them. I admit that I have never smelled a phlox. I never thought about it, but I just read that it's worth getting on the ground for!
The dirt road climbs...and climbs...and climbs until it loops back around to meet the return trail. The lake is definitely growing again!
The light was perfect on the way back down. It was warm, and I could smell the flowers starting to bloom. I'm SO glad I did this hike instead of going to the library like I had planned to. (I was sore the next couple days from climbing though!)
Today I spent most of the day in the fee booth with a great view! The park is very busy because it warmed up, so people are out hiking, walking out to the water, and there is a huge group in the equestrian area doing an endurance ride. Our two new seasonal employees did the rounds all around the park and said most parts of the park were just as busy!
