Hike around Pinecrest and up to Cleo's Bath

Early in August we went up to Pinecrest to hike around the lake. `

 This was the final activity we did with the cousins before they moved away.

 Grandpa  set a quick pace that we all had to try to keep up with.

 The hike around the lake is actually quite easy and the kids started off strong.

 It was a little hot and because we got a sort of late start we were hiking in the hottest time of day.

 At about 2/3 of the way around the lake we took a detour to go up to Cleopatra's Bath. It is up the creek about 2 miles.  The terrain was very different than what we had been hiking when just going around the lake.

 Much more rocky and not much of a trail. We had to really look for the arrows to keep us going in the right direction.

 There was much complaining. It was really hot. We were tired and the climb was difficult for us city slickers.

 But we finally made it to the swimming hole.  The kids didn't wear their swim suits but that didn't stop them from taking a dip in the pool.

 The pool was deep enough for the rock jumping.

 Mostly we just soaked our tired feet in the cool water.

 I wore my mom's wide brimmed hat and I am so glad I did. It kept me from really burning up  in the bright hot sun.

 My dad is 76 years old and in great shape. Many of the young people we met along this part of the hike were very impressed that he was climbing up these hills and doing this hike.

 Can you see that small patch of blue out in the distance. That is the lake we have to hike back to in order to finish our hike.

 Heading down the hill from Cleo's bath was a whole lot easier than the climb up!

 Even little Molly made it up to the top with only a moderate amount of complaining.

 Here we are back on the trail around the lake. This bridge crosses the creek that Cleo's bath is a part.

 By this time in our hike we were completely out of water. We had drunk too much on the first part of our hike and didn't save enough for the end. We were really melting and in need of water. I finally decided to would go to one of the cabins near the lake and ask for some refills to our water bottles.  I think that saved our lives. We were seriously tired and thirsty and still had an hour or two before we got back to the car.

 At last, we made it to the dam. Only about 20 more minutes of hiking and we are back at the car.

The hike was only about 10 or so miles but it took us a really long time and we were hot and so tired afterward. It is a beautiful place and I think I heard the kids say "next time, when we hike this....." so I guess they weren't so traumatized by the hike that they never want to come back.