Dec. 12, 2023 - Mission Municipal Forest

Stats: 6.6 km / 638m gain (600m to lookout) / 750m high / 2:40 hours MT

The 79 Grind trail takes you to a viewing platform a bit below Rockwell Knob, built by the City of Mission in 2022. The steady steep uphill had a few level sections providing just enough time to catch your breath before climbing again. I was surpised to see no snow on the trail.

We parked 6.5 km in from the junction of Dewdney Trunk & Florence Lake FSR. There's wooden stairs indicating the trailhead and a parking area opposite them on the right side of the road.

In about 20 minutes we came to a side-trail that led us to Fiddlehead Falls.

Back on the 79 Grind.

A low layer of fog hung over the valley but wow, these sun beams above the fog were amazing!

As we emerged out into the open on the FSR we finally ran into a thin layer of snow on an FSR which we were on for just a few minutes.

By 10:30am we were at our destination (equipped with an outhouse). It took us 1:30 hours MT. We could not see Stave & Devil's Lakes below us, but boy could we see the peaks! Denise & Brigitte frame Mt. Baker.

From the Breakenridge Range in the north, to Mt. Baker in the south.

Group shot: me, Mary R, Denise D, Janice H, Brigitte G + Johnny G

Heading back down.

Devil's Lake and Stave Lake.

Rolley Falls trail

Stats: 1.6 km / 135m gain / 30 minutes

Since it was only 12:30pm, we decided to hike the Rolley Falls loop trail. We drove about 5 minutes back down the Florence FSR. After days of heavy rain, it was an ideal time to see the waterfalls.

I wonder what's in that hole in the wall.

Rolley Lake & Stave Lake.