Francis Lake 8.6.02

I tried for yet another try for Francis Lake. Take the Money Creek exit off of HY 2 Just before Skykomish. Follow road to Miller River Rd. take a right and go to just before first bridge. There lies a jeep road that follows the West Fork of the Miller River. Follow the very rocky road to for Approx. 3miles At this point we crossed the river ( watch out river crossings can be very dangerous). We were unable to pick up the fisherman's trail on the other side. With the weather being VERY wet we decided against The brush scramble up to the Lake.

Turquoise Lake, Cuitin Lake 8.1.02

I Took French Creek trail to French Ridge trail about 5.1 miles. Trail easy and in good shape. The climb up French Ridge trail somewhat brushy left trail at approx. 4320ft. There is a well flagged fisherman's trail that climbs and intersects with the Turquiose Lake Trail at about 5150. From there it is a very easy trail to the lake. I met a couple on their way out who suggested the camp site that is on the major point. Thank you an excellent suggestion. Four hours total to lake. The bugs were above average as was the fishing. Many Many trout of different sizes. I left for Cuitin Lake in the morning, I found a fishermans trail that leaves the Turquiose Lake trail at 5850 and climbs to the saddle and drops into the lake. No camping is permitted at the lake. The bugs were very bad and the fish were really jumping. I left and rejoined the French Ridge trail at 5500ft and continued out on French Ridge Trail. Great Trip 9 hours Hiking time. I do think the fishermans trail that leaves the French Ridge trail and intersects with Turquoise Lake trail is faster but it is much steeper but saves both distance and extra elevation gain.

Terrace Lake, Ptarmagin Lakes, Fisher Lake 7/18/02

I started at around noon Tonga ridge trail in good shape until turn off for Fisher lake. The first part is difficult to follow due to deep snow. Best bet is to climb to 5200 feet were the trail crosses and starts to descend. The drop into Fisher is easier to follow and much less snow. Cross the outlet of Fisher lake and pick up fisherman's trail to Ptarmigan lakes. Trail is fairly easy to follow, drop down to Lower Ptarmigan and follow rock slide on western shore. Cross the outlet of Upper Ptarmigan and there is a great campsite on northen shore of the upper lake.

Left for Terrace Lakes in the morning, I climbed out of Upper Ptarmigan in a se direction. Pick up the creek and climb to both of the Terrace Lakes pretty easy cross country.

Bugs were above average but not a trip killer. Above average route finding ability required until melt out, which won't be too long at the rate it is going. Great Trip aprox 14miles round trip.

Rainy Lake 7.9.02

The fisherman's trail to Rainy Lake starts as soon as you cross the bridge from the Middle Fork trailhead first turn right as soon as you leave the bridge and continue downstream toward Rainy Creek. Once you hit the sandbar the trail starts to climb and traverse towards the creek, cross the creek and start climbing. The trail for the most part is easy to follow and the first half is fairly easy grade. At approx. 3200ft cross the creek resume climbing. Here the pitch steepens and is much more sustained. The trail crosses the 3900 ft mark before descending to the lake. There is some snow ringing the lake, but is ice free. The bugs weren't too bad, all and all a great day!