Overnight Backpack Field Trip - Greenwater Lakes

We four family pairs embarked on Sunday for a two night trip to the Greenwater Lakes.  Predictably, there were many packing out Sunday, but few joining us at the lakes.  We had the lakes to ourselves apart for a trail crew passing through and a family on a Monday hike. 

 There were suprisingly few bugs.  On the second weekend in August, they were more aggressive at the second lake.  We enjoyed fishing (brook and rainbow on flies and spinners), reading, day hikes and water play.  The water was a bit cold for out and out swimming.  Licorice ferns, watermelon berries, huckleberries and salmon berries were all ripe.  Thimble berries should be ready in a week or so.  One bridge required a two armed lift of the 4 year old, and railing presence was variable on some bridges, but all crossings were safe.  

Many nice campsites ring the first lake, and there are two newer looking pit toilets there.  Watch out for visible but no aromatic signs of human waste, however.  I'd like to think those shallow TP graves were dug before the pit toilets were installed.  There is a nice creekside site on the far side of the second lake, and another just inside the Norse Peak Wilderness, with a pit toilet between them. 

This is a nice overnight for young family or a good waypoint for more adventurous kiddos to head up to Lost or Echo Lakes.  For the latter, I'd recommend pushing on to the deeper tent sites rather than the community at the first lake.