The Laural Hike

NOT for the weary of heart or faint of mind! no actually this is a great hike for all ages, however, the path you chose can be... well, extreme. 

 Laurel Fall is a beautiful place to visit, and I have found great pleasure in taking students here through the years. at about  4 miles round trip, the laurel hike is one that you should plan on being out for at least 3 hours.

The trail is easy to follow until you get about half way there, when you reach the resivour. here you must watch carefully for the switchback. i have missed it a few times and gone all the way up to the resevour, which did make for a nice picnic area, but was not the impressive waterfall I was wanting. once back on the path, you must navigate a rather rocky part of the path, until you get to the metal 50 foot bridge that marks the split to snow fall and Laurel.

Now is when you must decide, is this a hike, or a high adventure trek?

Often I chose the high adventure trek which turns out to more scrambling over boulders than actual hiking.
a good pair of hiking shoes, or even better, a pair of five fingers is perfect for gripping the slick rocks and steep angles you can encounter here. For the high adventure route, hike just to the left of the large upright rock, and hop over the narrow ledge there and simply follow the creek up as best you can, navigating over the large boulders you come to. Did I say this path was easy? Right, not so much, but it is fun for sure!
As you make your way up, you will find areas that the path is actually easier to follow than the rocks, and yet the rocks are far faster after you account for all the switchbacks the path takes. Be sure to bring your camera along as well! The view from the base of the fall is breathtaking.