Rock Lake was hike number two of the day. Conveniently, the trailhead is located just down Route 28 from Sawyer Mountain, making it an easy addition to our itinerary.
Hike Report
This is a very short and relatively easy hike, following Johnny Mack Brook for much of the route before eventually reaching a snowmobile trail. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite make it all the way to Rock Lake itself, so this is one we’ll likely have to revisit in the future.
The hike ended up being a good reminder of the importance of paying attention to both your surroundings and your instincts. The trail itself was straightforward, and I believed the path to the lake continued straight across the snowmobile trail. There was a faint herd path heading in that direction, so we followed it for a short distance. However, it quickly faded away, leaving us with only a few limited glimpses of the lake through the trees.
As we made our way back toward the snowmobile trail, we started hearing voices in the distance. Looking back, it was almost certainly people camping at one of the designated sites near the lake. Still, something just felt off. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why, but my instincts were telling me it was time to head back.
Rather than continue toward the lake views, I decided to turn around and return to the car. Was everything probably fine? Most likely. But when you’re out in the woods, there’s nothing wrong with trusting your gut. The mountain, lake, and trail will all still be there another day.
Trip Stats
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Elevation Gain/Loss: +52.7 ft. / -54.5 ft.
- Weather: Mostly sunny, crisp, and cool
- GPS System: Gaia GPS (image below from OnX Backcountry)
Rating
3/10
An easy and pleasant walk through the woods, but since we didn’t officially make it all the way to Rock Lake, it feels unfair to give it a higher rating. We’ll have to come back and finish this one another time.
Happy Hiking!
