Hike to Merritt Lake, WA
Today with three women, I hiked to Merritt Lake, WA. The trail is rated as "very difficult," gaining 2,100 feet in elevation over 5.5 miles round-trip.
Trout were jumping, catching insects. A friend who loves fishing said this looks like a Dolly Varden trout.
Gro and Susan climbed up to a high ridge above the lake. Meanwhile, Karen and I relaxed beside the lake, drinking tea.
These women hike downhill so fast, I run on smooth parts of the trail to keep up, pack bouncing on my back.
No mosquitoes! I love hiking in the fall when it's cool.
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The Sunday Seattle Times had a report on hiking Lake Wenatchee. Ever hiked that area? When we worked on the Iron Goat Trail at Stevens we would often go there. It's a neat mountain lake.
JackPedigo
Level 9
Sep 19, 2018
1
Which hiking trails are you talking about?
North of Lake Wenatchee is the beautiful Napeequa Wilderness Area. Verdant and wet, this area is infamous for aggressive mosquitoes and deer flies. I have hiked:
- Dirtyface Mountain
- Twin Lakes
- Spider Meadow
- Schaefer Lake
- Rock Mountain
- Minotaur Lake and Labyrinth Mountain
- Poe Mountain
- Nason Ridge Alpine Lookout, and more.
@LiterateHiker It might have been better I I asked what lake trails you have not hiked. I know you have walked the Iron Goat but with only a 2% grade it must have been a piece of cake.
@LiterateHiker The paper mentioned Nason Ridge which they said was a hiking paradise. I would go if I had someone to go with me.
Last Spring, we hiked Nason Ridge above Lake Wenatchee and were horrified by clearcutting by Weyerhaeuser on the far side of the ridge, triggering landslides.
Nason Ridge: Private Land Acquired, Saved From Logging
On May 21, 2018, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) and Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) announced WRC had reached a deal with Weyerhaeuser to purchase the entire 3,714-acre Nason Ridge property. The organizations are now looking to raise $1 million in six months to support this purchase."
@LiterateHiker Okay, I read the article in detail and there was a paragraph: "But this summer, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) stepped in and and secured the purchase of of the property, pausing the deforestation and preserving 3,700 acres, plus 22 miles miles of trails for public use - before all were lost for a generation." as you said. I am always looking for connections and the $1Billion ruling to support schools are a part of the picture. Timber harvests go to support education. The recent property tax hike is unsustainable so other resources are looked at. I always see a connection between our demands and the loss of resources.
Sounds fairly rigorous. Gorgeous pics.
Condor5
Level 8
Sep 19, 2018
1
It was a very difficult hike. In the mountains, elevation gain is not gradual like stairs.
In one place, I clawed up extremely steep, sliding dust, trying to find anything solid to grab. A plant, a rock. Nothing.
I went to the left, crawling up a more steep area. At least I had plants to grab. It was too steep to stand up.
Thanks for your compliment on my photos.
I love it when it's not too hot. Going to hit 93°F here in STL today. Thank you human induced climate change
StrongHappySilly
Level 7
Sep 19, 2018
2
You are a good photographer! I love the fish especially.
Carin
Level 8
Sep 19, 2018
1
Thank you! This is the first time I got a clear photo of a fish swimming.
In 2016, I was lucky to film Rainbow Trout jumping in Twin Lake, feeding on a Mayfly hatch.
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