Randy has been hiking and climbing since he was 14 years old. Robson and Kinbasket Lake in the same field of view on a Turn south onto Pines Road and follow it for 8.5 miles. Overall the hike was tough and rewarding, as in the option to have a Burger with Beer at the lodge. The weather was clear but there was going to be wind which might prove to be a problem up at the Causeway, but then again it would probably provide a good excuse for deciding not to cross. When here, look for sub-alpine low brush to fragrant Ponderosa pine forest. The visit to Jackson, WY, was a great way to start the backpacking portion of our adventure. The weather had changed and my hangnail on my big toe was making it difficult to hike so Brook and I headed back to Oregon. This type of accident is typically reserved for evening travel, but this was middle of the afternoon, traffic was heavy. Overall I really loved this piece of the adventure. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Randy Godfrey of Bellingham, Washington, shared this story from 1978 on a PCT section hike in the Washington Cascades. And it was awesome. The area hosts several varieties of flora, thanks to its elevation change from the parking area to the summit. The plan was to do the Gilpin Lake Loop camping at Gilpin the first night and then on to the Gold Creek meadow to camp for the next 2 nights while summiting Zirkel with a day hike. I think Brook really appreciated it as well. This turned out to be the right choice since it carries the lowest traffic and allows camping near the lake. Mica Lake and the Mica Lake Basin as seen from “Middle Agnes” with one of the two Little Agnes Peaks in the distance. As it says in their website,its close to train tracks,thus you get woken up at night with train passing.This is our second time here. Hike Info. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Jeff provided that shuttle and hiked with me up to Gold Creek Lake. At Mica Lake, the point to the northwest is Little Agnes Mountain; north-northeast is part of the Sawtooth Range; northeast are the dual summits of Big Agnes Mountain; and the prominent point east is Point 11777. There is no signage yet (as of Oct 2014), but likely will be soon. Money can afford beauty and Steamboat has sold a lot of it. The trailhead started at about 8100′ and I hiked up to about 10000′ above Goodwin Lake exploring Jackson Ridge. The hike out got a bit wet as the snow was raining off the trees as we got lower. I left the area 30 years ago and it was obvious that Steamboat was growing, but I would not have predicted how this invasive development would creep into the wilderness. 今日はこのMica Lakeより先に進む予定だった Ice, Ice baby Don Wray, the visionary behind MICA guides, decided a long time ago that helping people enjoy adventure in Alaska was about the most satisfying career he could imagine. There is a well maintained gravel road meandering up the south face The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking and is best used from March until November. We camped in a NFS campground with plans to find a representative backpacking overnight to experience the local wilderness. From I-90, heading east, take Exit 289 for Pines Road (State Highway 27). The weather was perfect and my campsite on a rock next to the lake was perfect. Primary access to the trail network is via the Belmont Road trailhead to the West of Mica Peak. We referred to ourselves 30+ years ago as the last of the true mountain men. Multiple authors contributed to this report, all the way to nearby Liberty Lake; a rugged 12+ mile one-way hike, Mica Peak Traverse: Completing A New Trail Near Spokane. Liberty Lake Viewpoint Hike Our goal today was to get to the top of Mica Peak. There is water on either side of the pass above Gilpin Lake. The Mica Lake - 11.50 Miles - From Vista Creek Camp To Fire Creek Camp - Start 123.3Stop 134.8Miles 165.4Up 4016Dn 4617 Tough day, Constant climb and descending. I did get lucky waking up in time to capture the sunrise. Turn left (east) onto Belmont Road and follow for 4.1 miles to the end of the road. The road to the trailhead turned out to be the worst we would encounter, but the Rav4 handled the challenge. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. We started off by hiking up above Fish Creek Falls and then climbing Mount Werner or the Steamboat Ski mountain up to the Thunderhead Lodge. Posted in Backpacking, Brook, Colorado, Hiking, Wilderness, Tags: Gilpin Lake, Goodwin Lake, Jackson Hole, Mica Lake, Mt. Zirkel. I was surprised to see all of the energy exploration activity while driving across Utah on Hwy 40. Now out of the wilderness to meet my old backpacking buddy, John, at Steamboat Lake for a few days. Turns out she went over to Bob’s tend and scared him a bit since he could not figure out what animal was prancing around his tent. From the I-90 Liberty Lake exit take Appleway east to N Molter Road. Mica Lake Votes Votes Recent Forum Posts Current Time: 6:30 pm Thread Time Crampons for hiking boots. Asking around town we decided to backpack to Goodwin Lake and Jackson Ridge. Finally reaching the sign provided a very positive feeling. We chose a campsite at the head of the meadow and set our tents up with a great view. You can see Mt. At that time there was about 6 inches and it was snowing hard. I had a great hike today so staying a great site would be the best. On to the trail which was still easy to follow. MICA also offers guided glacier treks if you prefer a more leisurely exploration of the glacier and it’s grandeur. I knew it existed but I was also stressed a bit by how far I had to go to connect with it. After a mile, the Mica Peak Conservation Area, and choose your own adventure. Length 2.6 miElevation gain 291 ftRoute type Out & back The hike is basic but with some vertical challenge. Mica Lake Another view of the reflections in Mica lake. So back to Stillwater Reservoir for the trail to the Devil’s Causeway. We decided to take the northern route through Montana which did not turn out to be a wise decision due to many forest fires burning in the north. Posts about Mica Lake written by ghsmith76 We camped in a NFS campground with plans to find a representative backpacking overnight to experience the local wilderness. The hike to Chasm Lake is challenging but it rewards you for your effort. Stay on Valleyway, which will turn into Lakeside, for about 2.5 miles, then She is not afraid of a storm but she does not want to be in the tent during a storm. The California Creek Trail, completed in mid-October, now officially connects Liberty Lake Regional Park and Mica Peak Conservation Area. I ended up in Steamboat Springs that winter only to see the mountain close because of no snow. Seattle, WA 98104. We knew that a front was coming in but it was only supposed to produce wind on the second day. It's a destination for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. John was recovering from some serious medical conditions but was making incredible progress so we were able to push his body more each day. Once I switched to the Wyoming Trail I could tell that I was alone except for hunters who might be lurking in the woods. Brook enjoyed managing her herd. There is a Mica Peak (5241') in Idaho which is a few miles east of the Mica Peak in Washington. We did end up with a great campsite though. The very first crossing was right by our campsite and thankfully there had not been snow melt to raise the stream. The terrain of the Wyoming Trail that I was on was much like a mesa and was obviously used for open range grazing. The Causeway was all that I had heard it would be, and there was no way I was going to walk across it, but I had the good excuse of it being to windy. We all got to ride the gondola down. I was banging the snow off the tent which scared Brook and she went out on her own. As we progressed into the forest and dropped elevation the snow was lighter, but more stream crossing were ahead. During that time I was discovering my passions (Second Quarter). This adventure was as much about exploring new backpacking trails as it was about learning how to travel with my dog Brook. I was gonna hike farther but Mica Lake changed my plan. Access the conservation area by hiking, biking, or riding along the road from the parking lot. Now back to Steamboat to recuperate and prepare for the hike I had anticipated the most, the Devil’s Causeway. Brook was definitely excited by finding the snow. This area also had the best option for autumn aspen colors. Stats: Date: 7/13/2008 Distance: 12 miles Elevation gain: 2000' (cumulative) Class (difficulty): 1 Time: 2:45 Range: Columbia Partner(s Starting from the Belmont Road trailhead, you'll make your way to Mica Peak and heading north toward Liberty Lake on Edith Hansen and Liberty Creek trails. Note: Mica Peak was acquired in 2013 through Spokane County's Conservation Futures Program. Go Hiking Hiking Guide Mica Lake to Box Mountain Lake Unpublished Hike This hike hasn't been reviewed yet. We had a good fire, a good dinner and then it started to snow at about sundown. Dec 20, 2020 - Kinbasket Lake (or Kinbasket Reservoir) is a reservoir on the Columbia River in southeast British Columbia, north of the city of Revelstoke and the town of … If you have plans to spend several days in Rocky Mountain National Park and you are a hiker, this is one of the best trails to put on your to-do list. The problem was that I did not have a map showing me exactly where that connection would be made. Do not confuse the summit of Big Agnes with Point 11777. This area also shows the signs of open range grazing along with offering good fishing. James Dziezynski James Dziezynski The roughly 3.8 mile hike (7.6 mile round trip) to Mica Lake starts from the Slavonia Trailhead near Steamboat Springs and is a wonderful introduction to the Park Range. This off-grid retreat is located in Eastern Ontario on Rideau Valley Conservation land in beautiful Tay Valley . Aspen and birch groves also thrive here, making the hill glow gold in the autumn. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. The following day we needed to traverse the open space of the Wyoming Trail over to where we would descend to Three Island lake. On the way up Mica Peak. Campsite was well maintained. The Zirkel Wilderness which is northwest of Steamboat provided my entry into backpacking and fishing. There was some smoke in the Tetons, however, it was acceptable. Actually, I offered prayers that we needed it to stop snowing, and thank God it did. I ended up falling twice with my backpack on while bushwhacking over fallen trees. Staying in a hotel or a campground were new experiences for her. Meet Mica cabin, our most remote "Cabinscape" to date. The cabin overlooks a quiet, protected lake and is surrounded by wilderness with not a cottage in sight. The elevation gain from the parking area gives visitors a nice workout, doable in a day or less, and just minutes from Spokane. This was also an opportunity for Brook to prove her flexibility in that she had to stay tied to a rail outside the lodge while we were eating and she did great. Mica Peak is the Southernmost peak in the Selkirk Mountain Range. Once on the top the 360 views were amazing. Beautiful Mountain Lake in Northern Washington just past Glacier Peak He Buries His Camera And Places Bait At The Hole And What Comes To Take Both Is Definitely Not Human - … Bob was joining me from sea level so we needed to work on acclimating him to altitude. All I could think of was how the snow/moisture might affect some difficult stream crossings that we would have to make the next day. I have made it known to my children that I would like for them to spread my ashes from Rabbit Ears. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Trailhead Take the Paquette Lake Road and park at the lake Lat: 46.834629 Long: -60 Brook and I shared the lake with a 4 or 5 other groups but the basin was essentially ours alone. Mica Hill is a relatively new trail in the Cape Breton Highlands. This video gives you an idea of the solitude. The snow was a great twist and it reminded me cross-country skiing which I also was introduced to back in those early days around Steamboat. Route Description. Lots of water activities. The summit has an elevation of 5205 feet and offers great views of Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley and the Palouse. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! My adventure to Steamboat was not a random choice. I got the snow cleared from the tent but now I had to think about how we would deal with the mounting snow pack. I came out of the wilderness in time to pickup Bob, my backpacking friend from Oregon who was flying in for a week. The other travel issue was how to dissipate Brook’s high energy. Dogs are also able to use this trail. I was definitely sucking air but I had plenty of time to let my lungs adapt. However, there was a fair amount of thunder and lightning which Brook had to deal with. I was so impressed to have my friend hike to Gold Creek Lake with me on the first day of my Gilpin Lake Loop. 1971 National Geographic Article on the PCT, Follow The Adventure Continues on WordPress.com. Over the next 3 weeks the Clark store served me numerous blueberry pancakes. Consult your map to plan your route. This was about a 3 mile hike in climbing 1500′. It was time to say goodbye to my old backpacking buddy. My next venture was to explore the Wyoming Trail which is really the Continental Divide Trail near Steamboat. The animal was so elegant in how it effortlessly bounded over the fallen trees. It had rained all the night before but this was a beautiful crisp day showing the area’s first snowfall. Returning to my backpacking origins was a confirmation of that passion as well as a walk down memory lane. I really sensed that we both had plenty of space in this wilderness and we would not be seeing each other any more. This page contains a trip report and pictures for a hike to the top of Mica Peak in Northern Idaho. Traveling to Steamboat we were able to checkout Pinedale, WY, to do some research for a future trip to explore the Wind River Range. Best Parts:The Mica Mine is of course one of the most unique and amazing parts of this hike, but so is the perspective of the Robson and Canoe Valleys. The jacuzzi at our hotel was so wonderful. Liberty Lake is also the trailhead for another hike up Mica Peak: I spent about 45 minutes taking in the views and eating a few snacks before deciding to head back down the trail: I made very quick time down the very steep portion of the hike below the road: Brook finally came into the tent around 9 pm and sleep happened. Visitors can also enjoy views of Spokane Valley and the rolling Palouse.The peak itself is off-limits — the summit is owned by the FAA — but the western slope of the peak still offers 2,000 feet of elevation gain from parking area to high point. In fact, Brook was being smothered at the foot of my tent. So I took the hit which damaged the entire passenger side of my car. and Jackson Ridge. Brook and I both saw the bear about 50 feet away when it jumped up and then scampered off through the woods. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association We dealt with this on drive days by stopping at parks to play some ball. Stay on Molter for a bit over a mile, then turn left on E Valleyway Avenue. The trail starts off on the Glasgow Lakes trail, and you hang left at the fork in the trail to start this. Mica Basin Trail #1162 Routt National Forest Available for hiking and horseback riding, the 2.5 mile Mica Basin Trail leaves Gilpin Lake Trail #1161 and ascends steeply for the first 1.5 miles from the Gilpin Creek canyon into the Mica Basin. The view would have been of the mountains next to the town of Jackson but the smoke filtered the view extensively. Today the Clark store is thriving from serving the growing population in the area and the large influx of vacationers and hunters. A few fires had sprung up around Steamboat and were now contributing to a less than desirable air quality. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until September. My split second decision was to not hit the brake since I think that might have allowed the deer to hit the windshield. Description This hike begins at the Belmont Road trailhead on the west side of the Mica Peak Conservation Area. While there is not yet a formalized trail system here, Mica Peak is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, and equestrians because of the great workout it affords. Many trails exist here, but main access is via the parking lot on Belmont Road. The trail is primarily used for hiking. The Mica Basin Trail #1162 is an obvious spur up along a creek drainage that descends from Mica Lake at the base of the Agnes peaks with numerous dispersed camping spots. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. After coming out from Goodwin Brook and I did some sight-seeing around Jackson Hole. I thought I got to the Slavonia Trailhead early on Sunday morning, however, I ended up having to park about a half mile down the road. This story is much longer but the outcome included living and working around Steamboat until 1987. I was moving at 65 mph with oncoming traffic, so no time to take evasive maneuvers. At 5241 feet, it is easily recognized as having a large USAF tracking dome atop. Mica Peak to Liberty Lake Traverse is a 11.3 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Mica, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. In 1976 I left Indiana to replant in Colorado. The hike down to Three Island Lake was easy but finding a campsite that was approximately a quarter-mile from the lake was a challenge. She struggle a bit with the need to protect me from all the nearby sounds but she quickly adapted to the situations. It was actually quite beautiful seeing all of this familiar terrain covered by snow, but we still had some difficult stream crossings to navigate. I was climbing out from the Gold Creek basin when I had a fairly exciting encounter with a large brown bear. The elevation gain from the parking area gives visitors a nice workout, doable in a day or less from Spokane. Access can be made via Liberty Lake County park but its a long climb on old logging roads towards the summit. The hike to Gilpin had some challenging stream crossings but it was a beautiful day. We started the days hike by descending 3000 ft to I was impressed but not scared. But that is her choice and she seemed to be OK with sleeping outside during the storm. This beautiful little glacier lake has a few nice flat spots. Mica Peak is one of the most prominant peaks seen from the Spokane area. The road is bordered by private property, so stay on the road. It is said to have a nice view of Lake Coeur d'Alene as well as Spokane. Broncos looked great. Overall the aspen color change was disappointing but there was enough color mixed in with the evergreens to present some of the most beautiful scenery of the adventure. Truly beautiful. The climb up to the Causeway was steady with a final push at the end. And then down into the Gold Creek meadow. 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