Jamison Lake Loop

The Hike: From the trailhead you begin by walking past the remnant buildings of the Jamison Mine and then into the forest. After ~0.75 miles the trail intersects with the trail coming from Smith Lake (alternate trailhead at the Gray Eagle Lodge). After another ~0.2 miles the trail intersects with a short side-trail to a viewpoint of Little Jamison Falls (see waterfall description here). The trail intersects with the northeast corner of Grass Lake at ~1.3 miles. From here there are nice views of Mt Washington over the lake. When we were here there were a couple of fisherman out on the lake. Following the eastern side of Grass Lake the trail passes through some of the more lush parts of this hike (at least while the springs are running). At ~2.0 miles the trail crosses over Little Jamison Creek upstream of Grass Lake over a log footbridge (the top has been flattened). At ~2.25 miles the trail comes to another junction. To the right, the trail leads to Wades Lake and further to the PCT. To the left, the trail leads to Jamison and Rock Lakes. We took the right trail and at ~2.8 miles from the trailhead we came upon another junction. To the right, the trail leads on to the PCT. To the left, the trail leads to Wades Lake. Take the left trail here and after a further ~0.25 miles reach the northern side of Wades Lake near the outlet. When we were here there were many more fisherman than at Grass Lake as well as backpackers. We could see why more fisherman were here since we saw at least 5 rainbow trout cruising around near the outlet dam. We walked a further ~0.1 miles along the NE shore to find a nice spot to have lunch. After lunch we headed back towards the lake outlet and started to follow the shorter, steeper trail down towards Jamison Lake. After ~0.4 miles from Wades Lake I left the trail to the north to check out Upper Little Jamison Falls (see description here). Back on the trail we continued down towards Jamison Lake and after ~0.8 miles from Wades Lake the trail intersects with the trail that leads back towards Grass Lake. After a further ~0.2 miles the trail splits off toward Rock Lake (left and straight over the creek) and Jamison Lake (right). We first took the right trail to Jamison Lake, traveling ~0.15 miles to the small peninsula on the western shore. I thought Jamison Lake offered better views than Rock Lake but others differ from my opinion. I saw a few people fishing off of the eastern shore but didn't notice any backpackers here. Back at the previous junction we traveled ~0.2 miles to Rock Lake. At this lake there were MANY more backpackers. There was still plenty of shore to set up camp, however. We checked out three different spots along the shore before heading back toward the trailhead. From the Jamison/Rock Lakes junction the trailhead is ~3.0 miles away.