Lake Julius, Loch Eilenn, Lake Donald

I was hoping for a nice couple day out in an area that I have really yet to explore. I used the Gale Creek Trail to access Lake Ethel. You must cross the railroad tracks in Merrit, too bad for me there were 3 trains playing three card Monty. While I waited the 30 minutes for the trains to swap their positions I packed and repacked trying to figure why I was carrying so much extra weight. After finally putting the trains behind me I followed the old road to the trailhead near 2500ft. The Gale Creek Trail is in good shape as climbs substainally to around 5700ft before dropping to Lake Ethel. Lake Ethel isn't really much to look at and there are enough campsites to house a small army. Since I still had plenty time I pressed on using the Upper Roaring Creek trail to access Lake Julius. I was pretty much worn out from the 4000ft of climb I had already put in so I nixed my plans for camping my first night at Lake Donald. I set up camp in a somewhat secluded spot and treated myself to a well deserved nap. I intended mearly scouting the route for the next days hike to Lake Donald, but before I knew it I had found the fisherman's trail and was on my way up. The fisherman's trail is found leaving from behind the privy at Loch Eileen. The trail is easy to follow due to the numerous cairns. After staying for only a moment I headed back to camp. I was amazed at the fact it only took me 75 minutes round trip. Without my heavy pack I felt as if I was running up the steep trail. I had planned to go to Larch Lake as well as Cup Lake in the morning. I struggled mightily up to McCue Pass even though the climb is not long or steep. When I reached the pass I noticed quite a bit of smoke drifting my way from the North. I decided that without fully knowing the fire risk, I would head back to camp and out. I saw one other hiker who had camped at Lake Donald, I think he came in by motorcycle via the logging roads that crisscross the area. That certainly takes alot of work out of getting to this beautiful area. All in All it was a productive trip, hitting 4 lakes that I have never been to. There was a substanial 7000ft of climb most of which was done with a pack that was much too heavy. Just to make matters more interesting I was again blocked by trains on the way out. Lucky for me it was only about a 15 minute wait this time

Trap Lake 7/20/04

I had hoped to camp at Upper Thunder Mt lake and climb Nimbus Mt as well as Thunder Mt. Too bad for me I didn't fully read the warnings at the trailhead. I thought they were left over from last year. I started early for me and blazed to Hope lake in much less than an hour. The weather was cool and cloudy with quite a bit of wind and there was plenty of water for the dogs on the way to Trap Pass. I made the pass in just under 3 hours. My intention was to follow the climber's trail to Slippery Slab Tower and then skirt the east side of that to some easier ground to take me to the small pass above Thunder Mt Lakes. I was quite dismayed to find warning signs posted not to go into the Icicle Creek drainage. I dropped pack and scouted the climber's trail for about 1/4 mile. It appears to be much easier if you stay on the west side of the ridge. I returned to my pack and downclimbed to Trap Lake. There is a good sidetrail that leads to plenty of campsites. I chose one with a good view of both Slippery Slab Tower and K9 to the NE. I set up camp only slightly annoyed with not being able to achieve my goal and only slightly more annoyed with the bug situation. I returned to the sancitity of the tent for a short nap. I awoke 4 hours later, much to my suprise, I guess I was more tired than I thought. I gave some thought to climbing K9 on the way out, but with the weather unsettled and the route involving a long vegetated gully I thought the downclimb might be dicey if it where to rain. I made great time on the way out passing a party of 10+ as they were just starting out. I think that is more than the total of people I have seen for the entire year.

Sprite Lake 7.12.04

Today's goal was for a summit of Paddy-go-south peak which lies just south of Sprite Lake. I brought along Armando for the ride. Our bumpy ride down the Salmon La Sac Rd was punctuated by a flat tire just as we reached the Paddy Go Easy trailhead. So I spent the first 15 minutes of the trip changing the tire. I haven't been on this trail for nearly 15 years, but I still remember the sign at the start of the trail that say "" MOST DIFFICULT"". The first time I did this climb I would have agreed, but now I would hardly call it above average. It was quite warm and I wasn't sure what to expect from Armando because I had never done a hike with him. Armando set a great pace and we were soon at Sprite Lake. The bugs were so bad that we decided to stay only for a short while. I erred a bit in judgement and I led us to the point more westerly of Sprite lake that tops out near 6400ft. I had a feeling we were a bit lower than where we should have been. We returned to the pass and pressed North doing a bit of scouting for a try of Paddy Go North. There seems to be a few different approaches that might work. I decided that with our water supply running short that heading back was the right call. We descended to the truck and were off to the Brick for a cold beer and some good food.