Hiking up to Island Lake near Silverton Colorado. (No Talking Just Walking).

I am not an avid hiker so I couldn’t tell you any specific hiking terms on this climb other than I really enjoyed, it was fairly difficult to finish it and my observations during the climb up and back down. I camped at the Golden Horn Campground which is just about a 10 minute drive. I started around 10am or so, maybe a little earlier. The parking lot was already full and I had to park down the road a little ways. No biggie except for any time a vehicle goes by, there is a lot of dust so if I had to do it again I would try to get there earlier. I spent around an hour at the lake, so including that hour and the little way to check out the trail between Island and Ice it was around a 7 hour day because I got back to the car around 5 pm. I would classify the hike into 3 sections that stood out. 1. The waterfall section. As I climbed I got closer and closer to the top of a beautiful waterfall. 2. The pine trees section. This is a mostly shaded part hiking under the trees. 3. The steep section that will determine whether you make it or not. This is the final mile before the lake. I got severe cramps on my left leg about half a mile from the lake, I rested a bit, drank some gatorade and some water even though I wasn’t really feeling thirsty. Then I felt I could continue but about 10 minutes later my right leg cramped up even worse than the left had. I took about a 15 minute break and drank more water. I didn’t think I was going to make it.. Up until then I had only felt out of breath due to the altitude and perhaps since I’m not in as good of shape as about a year ago but these cramps made me wonder if I was going to have to eat my lunch there and hope to feel better and/or start the way back down. Luckily, the cramps settled down and I was able to continue. Observations and what I would do differently. I wish I would have brought some salty snacks to eat along the way like some pretzels. I think I wouldn’t have had cramps had I been replenishing the salt lost due to sweating. After lunch I didn’t have any issues with cramping. Bringing a pull over sweater was a good idea because while I was hanging out at the top it got a bit chilly and I was so glad I brought it. I got noticeably thirstier on the way down. This is when I drank most of my water. The way down was a lot more tiring on my knees and toes. The trail loops around the 2 lakes but the trail between them is not for me. There are no trees or bushes to stop a fall. I saw trail runners running across, props to them but one wrong step and it’s game over and I just didn’t think it was worth the risk. At that point I was feeling strong enough for the walk but not the risk. Were I to cross that section I would want to have leather gloves so I could 4 limb it like our primate ancestors lol Overall this is a beautiful hike with the option of tent camping and I would highly recommend it if you are in good enough shape to do it.