On a backpacking trip in 2010 I took the Budd Lake Trail up to Echo Peaks and down below Echo lake for the first night. At the time there were no maps for this trail so I followed instructions from a friend. Instruction called for going up the Cathedral Trail about 1/2-3/4 mile and then cut left through the woods and intercept the desired trail. This I did. After awhile it became apparent this was actually the climber's trail for Cathedral Peak and I needed to get off it. I'm guessing I was 2/3 the way to Budd Lake. Again, I turned left and eventually discovered the Budd Lake Trail right along side Budd Creek and it was clear sailing from there. I just don't know where the Budd Trail began.
The climber's trail begins about 1/2-3/4 mile up the Cathedral Trail but I believe I went right by it, which is apparently easy to do because it's not marked well. I'm presuming that the Cathedral climber's trail and the Budd Lake trail run concurrently and split somewhere. Yes-No? If this is true I'm not sure where they split. I obviously went well past that point or intercepted the climber's trail past that point.
This year I'm going over Echo Peaks again to reach the saddle between Cockscomb and Matthes Crest. Budd Lake is the shortest way to get there and I would like to get that far in the most efficient manner possible, saving my energy for the higher elevations. Any clarification from those who have been there is appreciated.
Jim