Talapus Lake and Olallie Lake

Trail Distance: 6.2 Miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft

A trip to the lakes does not entail expectations of great views of distant landscapes. Yet the mountainsides rising from the lakes can be astoundingly beautiful. Such is the setting of the Talapus Lake and Olallie Lake that I set out for today.

The trail head itself is located at a relatively higher elevation of 2800 ft reached through driving 3.2 miles of US Forest Roads 9031/9030 after exit 45 of I-90. This trail is an easy family friendly character. One would normally expect a lot of young children accompanying their parents. While on my way to the lake, I passed a couple of father son duos returning from overnight camping. 

I arrived at the Talapus lake first but kept going forward to arrive at the Olallie lake about 30 minutes later. There was abundance of wild blueberries around the lake. I continued to the northern most end of the lake where mountains sides closed in. By this time, the rains started falling and gradually grew stronger. So in stead of stopping, I picked and ate some berries quickly turned around.

Back at the Talapus lake, there was a large group of pre-teens and teenagers frolicking on the lake shore. The meadows across the lake and the reflections in the water was very beautiful. I spent a few minutes snapping a some pictures before returning to the trail head.