May 6 - Stats: 10.5 km / 700m gain / 751m high point / 3:25 hours MT
According to the Mission Forestry District, this mountain used to be named Rockwell Mt. We did this hike as a crossover, starting at the "Mission Grind" trailhead which is not hard to miss (pic 1) and descending via the more gently graded logging road route. The two trialheads are only 3 km apart, so we parked one vehicle at the logging road trailhead and the other two at the Mission Grind trailhead.
For all of us, except Sonia, it the first time we'd done this hike. I'm sure we'll do it again. The Fiddlehead Falls were very impressive and although the trail was steep, muddy and somewhat rough, it had enough switchbacks to give us that brief break from the uphill before getting back to it.
These stairs gave an impression of a well-maintained trail. But that was quickly corrected, having to carefully manouever over wet bolders immediately after these stairs, and then watch for those slippery muddy sections. Lucky was not so lucky when he slipped and hit his forehead on a tree. Good ol' duct tape came to the rescue, since Case did not have a bandage handy.
A very dense wet forest.
Wow!!! These Fiddlehead Falls are spectacular. Such a hidden gem. Can't believe I'd never done this trail before.
We dropped our backpacks and carefully made our way down to the creek.
We had to cross two FSRs. Planks that served as bridges guided us back to the trail. This is an old logging road, with high banks created by erosion.
Sonia made a game out of sitting on wood seats carved out along the trail.
1) Trillium 2) Skunk Cabbage
Ancient stumps with ax cut scars.
Thanks Sonia for being our guide.
A short spur trail got us to this expansive viewpoint of Stave Lake. We could see the dam on the right.
northeast
southeast
The gang: me & Case, Lucky, Mike & Sheri, Iraj, Charlotte, Darlene, Ling
Front row: Jerry, Sonia, Carolyn, Terry & Cal
About half an hour of additional climbing and we got to the new viewing platform close to the summit. The summit is treed in and has no view.
Iraj's face says it all -- east.
Cal & Iraj descended the same way we ascended, with both car keys. So they drove both vehicles to the second trailhead where we came out.
northeast
Such a dense forest.
Salmon Berry.
Red Currant
An old quarry.
The Stave Lake dam. Almost back.
They managed to squeeze our large group of 12 into Mission Springs Pub. A good way to end the day.
Devil's Lake and Stave Lake in the lower corner.
Just to show you how large Stave Lake is. Pitt Lake to the left and Alouette Lake inbetween.
Comentarios