canyonlaketrek

Canyon Lake Trek

~ Boulder River Wilderness ~

Apr. 28, 2005

Down the trail (an old logging road now turned to trail) we trudged for a few scant miles under a blue-hued sky day. Along the way, ravens could be heard in the tree tops on the ridge above squawking loudly at our presence as we hiked along, and the occasional hoot from a male blue grouse calling for a mate. In the trail here and there coyote and bear scat was seen, as well as ivory trilliums, which seemed to be bright stars shining in the night sky, amid the stark-green contrast of the forest flora. Numerous little waterfalls were encountered along the way, too. Soon, we found the little way trail (off the main trail) which led to the lake. And it wasn't long before Hans and I began to fish, he from his Curtis raft, I from the various logs floating in the near the lake shore.

"Got one," I yelled to Hans. And another was soon caught. Both were colorful little brookies caught on flies, then released. Meanwhile Hans began to catch a few of about the same size - 8 to 10 inches. The lake seemed much more full than my previous trip of two years ago, and the water which was very cold was rather glacial looking, probably due to recent snow melt.

As Hans decided to explore further up the lake fishing, I went on an exploration/photography mission around the right side (steep) of the lake, which eventually led me to circumvent the entire lake. But not before I climbed up the steep crack (a few hundred feet) at the end of the lake. (note: Canyon has one inlet stream and no visible outlet stream (the outlet is underground as a stream appears several hundred feet below the old logging road/trail). Once at the top of the steep crack I was able to get a better view of Liberty Mtn., a stark cathedral peak I've always wanted to climb, situated within the Boulder River Wilderness adjacent to Big Bear Mtn. and Three Fingers Mtn. Here, I could hear the headwaters of the South Fork Canyon Creek - where its born. After an hour or so of further exploration, I dropped back to the lake and discovered the "why" as to the naming of Canyon Lake...around the lake I fought the brush on the steep flanks in the bowl-like setting.

"What this I hear but howls, screams and grunts coming from the other end of the lake - sounds like a Bigfoot!" I answer back, and soon the cirque is filled with zoo-like sounds. The ruckus continues for quite some time, surely scaring the woody inhabitants half to death! And I wonder if it can be heard at the Three Fingers lookout?

Back down the little trail where it meets the logging road trail, Hans and I have some lunch and laugh a bit to oursleves about the loud ruckus we created...sounds like another Bigfoot story needs reporting. Upon our hike out, we encounter three seniors hiking to the lake, both Hans and I are almost greatful they didn't hear that ruckus - for heart attacks might have happened? At the truck we came across the rest of their party that didn't go on the hike sitting and waiting for the intrepid last two to return.

Later, we drove the Three Fingers Mtn. road getting to within a 1/4 mile from the trailhead, before the truck got stuck in a snow drift. Lucky to have a powerful winch on the front, even though Hans "Hector" began to think we'd be spending the night there. We did however make a mess of the road, but the snow will melt off and little trace will be left, and only the chipmonks will know that log was pulled down the bank with the winch <grin>.

KJM

(McPilchuck)