Loch Lomond After Work -- 2 - 5 mile, early evening hike! [Ben Lomond]

Please join us for a rare after-work hike. Now you might say, this wouldn't be so rare if you people ever worked! Nay, friend, this is to help us work, and gives us something to work towards. Let's see if we can start to make it medium rare, and even well done!

Website: Loch Lomond Recreation Area. Map.
Route: Alltrails Map.
Entry Fee: $10 per car.
Weather: 68F --> 61F
Loch Ness Monster
Other, nearby monsters.

Two options. 1) 2 - 4 miles. You can join us for a short but sweet walk along the lakefront, at your preferred speed. Or, keep apace with our pack of social hikers until you meet your daily steps quota. You can easily retrace your steps back along the lakefront, or choose the short (McLauren Trail) or medium (Loch Slow Trail) route back through the woods. The trails are well maintained, but there are plenty of lumps, bumps and tree roots near the lake.

2) ~5 miles. For those aiming to tackle the main loop with us, you must be ready for a steep climb up (~850' Elevation Gain) and then a fast walk to the stunning view over the Loch, with a chance to spot the Loch Less Monster (monster binoculars may help). We will stop to take in the view, and a few snacks or swigs of water, and then continue down the bend. This is not a difficult hike for our regular hikers, but with a diverse group it is easy to underestimate the time involved, so please join us if you are confident that you can keep a reasonable pace (2+mph) going up and at least 2.5 mph on the flats and downhills. The Park staff are strict about their closing time of 8:30pm.

Timing:
5:20pm — meet near information kiosk.
5:30pm — hike departs.
Hikers return time depends on doing short versus full hike.
8:30pm — Park closes.

Carpool — Save $10 parking fee & gas! Comments can be used to offer or request a ride.

As with her namesake in Scotland, weather will cool down in the evening, so bring a layer if you run cool and might stay for the sunset. You will likely work up a sweat on the uphill.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a hike, event, or other outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for this hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.