Loch Leven Lakes

First time backpacking out here and it was such an awesome experience. I’m super excited to go back. I will say the hike up was a bit difficult with a heavy backpack due to all the rocks you have to climb over on the trail, but the view of the lakes at the top makes it all worth it. I’d start early in the day to make sure you get good parking as this is a very popular trail, and so that you can get a good campsite and enjoy the lakes for as much time as possible. Bugs there were virtually nonexistent as I don’t think I got bit by any. I did read though that last week there were some rattlesnake sightings, so just be cautious of snakes.

We took Salmon lake trailhead which is shorter trail.

We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites. But also a lot of the nice view spots were occupied since we didn’t start our hike up early, we started at 5:30pm. The middle lake is very large and had many beautiful spots to camp. But we headed to the upper lake since a lot of day hikers go to the middle lake and don’t always pack out what they pack in. All the sites are very dispersed and you have so much privacy. We saw some people even camping on the boulders! It was very serene and quiet with very respectful campers. The trail up is a bit confusing if you don’t pay absolute attention to where you are going. You can find some orange markings or stacked rocks that help you stay on the path. Reaching our destination was amazing. We swam in the lake and napped in our hammocks. I will say that there was a lot of mosquitos. Even with bug spray I left with 7 bites. But, it’s the outdoors what do you expect? Overall very beautiful area to camp!