Aug 24, 2011
For a trip with such short stats, this trip was quite grueling.
First off, despite checking with the logging company about the famous "gate", another blocked the access road right from the start. Only by having the backroads mapbook and a GPS did we figure out that there was another way to get to FSR road we needed, but it added close to 50km to our day (70% of that on slow, rough roads).
Once at the trailhead, we had 2 false starts (short ones) but it added up to 4 un-needed river crossings. Beyond that, this one was straight up. The 24% gradient on Club Tread I think was right. its a bit depressing that 5 hours of hiking and our car looked so close from the top (in lateral distance)
If I hadn't been huffing and puffing so much I think I'd have really enjoyed the trail itself. Minimal bushwack at start, then sparse trees and then crossing a steep slope in full wildflower bloom!
The steep slope, however, was nerve wracking,... and not for all. 1 or 2 parts were very stressful for a few of us. If you can't handle a bit of exposure, find a different trail.
The lake, frozen as it was, was beautiful, it really was a well laid out scene for the eyes (see pics). I'd say worth the climb or reroute on road (but maybe not both in one trip). We also saw a brown bear on the nearby slopes. For wildflowers, now is the time to go.
Photos and GPS to follow.
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