Trekking with Nicola (and the dogs)

 13.2 km - 772 metre elevation gain  Beautiful hike that included a couple of hour drive across gravel and rock to trail head. The first bit's mainly through forest with relatively steep upward climb. Fir needles on the path were slippery on the path down. As well, we passed a wasp nest located on the forest floor and were both stung by wasps. Warned three couples and a group of girls with a guy whom I figured must be a dad. One from the group had already been stung. The trail emerges from the forest crossing a scee slope and then up another scree slope to the lake. The trail makers have done an excellent job of creating and marking a switchback trail up the scree. The lake as evidenced below was gorgeous. I suspect the green colour comes from the heavy iron content in the rocks. Finian produced evidence of such emerging from the lake covered in fine red dust. We stopped along the shore for a lunch of crackers and cheese with Newcastle Ale to wash it down. Finian and Pippa eac...