This is an EASY hike, less than 6 miles round trip (if the gate is open, if the gate is closed it is ~9 miles). The altitude gain is only about 790 feet — very manageable. The hike was easy enough that I averaged better than 2 mph on the way in — the uphill section — even carrying about 50 lbs. of gear.
The Hike
The trail follows an abandoned logging road, so for the most part this isn’t a soft, forest-floor hike. Trails built for foot traffic often twist and turn to reveal interesting terrain or views — not so here.
Thimbleberries were ripening, but I didn’t think they had much flavor — though they didn’t taste bad. I wasn’t sure they were truly edible; otherwise I would’ve munched out — FREE FOOD!
An interesting root ball — I like textures.
A Quaint Little Lake
The camping area is at the west end of the lake, and I imagine it would be very swampy earlier in the year. This end is relatively flat and clear, with room for several tents.
Frogs, Birds, and Things That Go Bump in the Night.
I liked how the frogs called and responded in a rhythm so perfectly in sync it seemed written for sheet music. Other creatures fluttering, sputtering, whirring and popping lulled me to sleep.
Hummingbirds in the Morning
My final awakening was prompted by an odd, almost violent, fast beating noise — like several things colliding. It was a couple humming birds doing a close fly-by of the tent. It got my adrenalin up and that was the start of my morning.
Hot Tea and Oatmeal
In prep for my trip out, and to completely wake up, I had some hot tea and instant oatmeal for breakfast. Everything tastes better on the trail. I do wish I found a way to keep 2 teaspoons of milk cold for my morning tea though!
Notes:
- There doesn’t appear to be a year-round inflow to the lake, so I’d expect the lake to shrink and get a bit yukky by late fall. As I thought about it, I realized I might hesitate to use the water later in the year — and there’s no other good source nearby.
- The lake is close enough to the trailhead that the less-than-wilderness-friendly types might venture in — and they did. I cleaned up after them both at the lake and at the trailhead.
- I might try this one in late May or early June in the future.
- The Katadyn BeFree water filter is great when new. I have two of these filters, and if I want to use one now, I have to soak the filter media in vinegar for several hours before the trip. Both filters behave this way. When new, they can’t be beat. It may be that I used them on tea-colored water at Yellow Banks and that did them in. I probably haven’t gotten 10 gallons out of either — disappointing.