Twenty-three volunteer hikers made their way to Hemlock Lake on a marvelous summer Saturday in June. There were a few thirsty mosquitoes at the trailhead, but they didn’t follow us very far on the 3.5 mile stroll downhill to Lake in the Woods. We think that they are only licensed to draw blood within 200 yards of the lake itself.

After arriving at Lake in the Woods most hikers continued on to the base of Hemlock Falls for a relaxing lunch in a sun-filled spot where the breeze from the falls was quite refreshing. A few hikers stopped for lunch at Lake in the Woods and visited the Falls afterwards.

The sojourn to Hemlock Falls added 1.2 miles to our hike. Most hikers then headed down the trail to Yakso Falls and back, adding another 1.6 miles and an end to a pretty darn nice hike.