I got the snow cleared from the tent but now I had to think about how we would deal with the mounting snow pack. The other travel issue was how to dissipate Brook’s high energy. Brook enjoyed managing her herd. And then down into the Gold Creek meadow. There is parking available here for horse trailers as well as passenger cars. She struggle a bit with the need to protect me from all the nearby sounds but she quickly adapted to the situations. This beautiful little glacier lake has a few nice flat spots. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association This video gives you an idea of the solitude. Maybe all of that activity was the reason while that deer darted out from the bushes next to the highway and slammed into my car. This was the coldest night of the Colorado Adventure getting down to 28 thanks to a clear sky which spawned a sunrise beaming off the fortress. We chose a campsite at the head of the meadow and set our tents up with a great view. The terrain of the Wyoming Trail that I was on was much like a mesa and was obviously used for open range grazing. 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. Vernal, UT, seemed to be a major hub for this activity. Once in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness , there are a number of camping options along the loop as long as you observe Wilderness regulations. In fact, Brook was being smothered at the foot of my tent. I was climbing out from the Gold Creek basin when I had a fairly exciting encounter with a large brown bear. 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. 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. What a great return to the Zirkel Wilderness. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. I knew it existed but I was also stressed a bit by how far I had to go to connect with it. I really sensed that we both had plenty of space in this wilderness and we would not be seeing each other any more. I was so impressed to have my friend hike to Gold Creek Lake with me on the first day of my Gilpin Lake Loop. 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. We started the days hike by descending 3000 ft to Then the clouds started to form causing us to consider the possibility of some snow. Now out of the wilderness to meet my old backpacking buddy, John, at Steamboat Lake for a few days. John was recovering from some serious medical conditions but was making incredible progress so we were able to push his body more each day. Traveling to Steamboat we were able to checkout Pinedale, WY, to do some research for a future trip to explore the Wind River Range. I had a great hike today so staying a great site would be the best. Actually, I offered prayers that we needed it to stop snowing, and thank God it did. 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. To much and to heavy, the tent was collapsing under the weight. The cabin overlooks a quiet, protected lake and is surrounded by wilderness with not a cottage in sight. Mica Peak is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, and equestrians because of the great workout it affords. We had a good fire, a good dinner and then it started to snow at about sundown. Overall the hike was tough and rewarding, as in the option to have a Burger with Beer at the lodge. Multiple authors contributed to this report. Mica Peak is at the southern end of the Southwest Selkirk Range. 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: 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. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. 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. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. At that time there was about 6 inches and it was snowing hard. However, the Goodwin Lake terrain was exceptional. As we progressed into the forest and dropped elevation the snow was lighter, but more stream crossing were ahead. Then we had to summit the iconic Rabbit Ears which recently lost part of an ear. There was some smoke in the Tetons, however, it was acceptable. We did end up with a great campsite though. I knew that the Wyoming Trail connected to the Gold Creek Trail which I had recently been on and from there I could take it over to connect with the Three Island Lake Trail, but I would need some shuttle help. Turn south onto Pines Road and follow it for 8.5 miles. 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. Description This hike begins at the Belmont Road trailhead on the west side of the Mica Peak Conservation Area. The hike to Gilpin had some challenging stream crossings but it was a beautiful day. Rating Moderate Elevation 260 - 410 m (850 - 1,345 ft) Time 3 - 3.5 hours Significant features Highlands taiga, mica outcrop Gradual climb. He is a former trail worker, a trail surveyor and designer with the U.S. Forest Service and also worked 2 years as a … Access can be made via Liberty Lake County park but its a long climb on old logging roads towards the summit. 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 … The hike out got a bit wet as the snow was raining off the trees as we got lower. Mica Lake Another view of the reflections in Mica lake. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 My goal for my return to Zirkel was a new destination for me, Mica Lake. Off to bed listening to really heavy snowflakes pounding our tents. Dogs are also able to use this trail. This turned out to be the right choice since it carries the lowest traffic and allows camping near the lake. Photo by snbess. 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. Mica Lake Votes Votes Recent Forum Posts Current Time: 6:30 pm Thread Time Crampons for hiking boots. Zirkel. 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 summit has an elevation of 5205 feet and offers great views of Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley and the Palouse. We camped in a NFS campground with plans to find a representative backpacking overnight to experience the local wilderness. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. Jeff provided that shuttle and hiked with me up to Gold Creek Lake. I have made it known to my children that I would like for them to spread my ashes from Rabbit Ears. Oh, but Steamboat has changed. Today the Clark store is thriving from serving the growing population in the area and the large influx of vacationers and hunters. We knew that a front was coming in but it was only supposed to produce wind on the second day. There is a well maintained gravel road meandering up the south face The California Creek Trail, completed in mid-October, now officially connects Liberty Lake Regional Park and Mica Peak Conservation Area. In 1976 I left Indiana to replant in Colorado. Here I’m having a mid-morning swim in Mica Lake. We did get to stop by the Palouse Falls on the way to Spokane but the fires around Missoula were extensive and the air quality was horrible so we moved on as quickly as possible to Jackson, WY. Morning greeted us with almost a great sunrise, but it had definitely stopped snowing so I knew it might be a bit uncomfortable but no worries about making it back to the trailhead. We thought about going to Keener Lake but opted for Hooper Lake. The 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. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until September. Staying in a hotel or a campground were new experiences for her. So back to Stillwater Reservoir for the trail to the Devil’s Causeway. This was simple loop that would allow me to come out with time to visit with my old business partner, Jeff, from the early Steamboat days and be able to watch my Denver Broncos. Hooper Lake was spectacular sitting under a surrounding fortress wall. 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. And it was awesome. First a hike around Steamboat Lake and playing tourist in Steamboat. Asking around town we decided to backpack to Goodwin Lake and Jackson Ridge. 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. Hike Info. 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. From I-90, heading east, take Exit 289 for Pines Road (State Highway 27). I was moving at 65 mph with oncoming traffic, so no time to take evasive maneuvers. Overall I really loved this piece of the adventure. Brook finally came into the tent around 9 pm and sleep happened. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. My next venture was to explore the Wyoming Trail which is really the Continental Divide Trail near Steamboat. This was about a 3 mile hike in climbing 1500′. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! It's also possible to hike from here all the way to nearby Liberty Lake; a rugged 12+ mile one-way hike. The visit to Jackson, WY, was a great way to start the backpacking portion of our adventure. At 5241 feet, it is easily recognized as having a large USAF tracking dome atop. Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene, http://www.spokanecounty.org/documentcenter/view/4066. 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. Having frigid clear water and a low rock ledge serving as a convenient swimming platform, I rated this one a five-star I liked The lake was awesome. I was definitely sucking air but I had plenty of time to let my lungs adapt. The elevation gain from the parking area gives visitors a nice workout, doable in a day or less from Spokane. Primary access to the trail network is via the Belmont Road trailhead to the West of Mica Peak. We were now ready for a 3 day trip with the goal to summit Mt. 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. 1971 National Geographic Article on the PCT, Follow The Adventure Continues on WordPress.com. After a mile, the Mica Peak Conservation Area, and choose your own adventure. Over the next 3 weeks the Clark store served me numerous blueberry pancakes. The hike to Chasm Lake is challenging but it rewards you for your effort. You can see Mt. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking and is best used from March until November. Mica Peak is one of the most prominant peaks seen from the Spokane area. The elevation gain from the parking area gives visitors a nice workout, doable in a day or less, and just minutes from Spokane. Bob was joining me from sea level so we needed to work on acclimating him to altitude. It was actually quite beautiful seeing all of this familiar terrain covered by snow, but we still had some difficult stream crossings to navigate. This request is to insure that my ashes end up on each side of the Continental Divide as well as forcing my kids to venture into the wilderness. Werner, Steamboat Springs, Stillwater Reservoir, Tetons, Three Island Lake, Zirkel Wilderness. 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. This adventure was as much about exploring new backpacking trails as it was about learning how to travel with my dog Brook. The climb over the pass brought on the wind but it was to be an easy day. There is no signage yet (as of Oct 2014), but likely will be soon. Mica Basin Trail is a 8.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Clark, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. 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. It had rained all the night before but this was a beautiful crisp day showing the area’s first snowfall. Brook and I both saw the bear about 50 feet away when it jumped up and then scampered off through the woods. I came out of the wilderness in time to pickup Bob, my backpacking friend from Oregon who was flying in for a week. It was a perfect evening set for the first night near Gilpin Lake. This area also had the best option for autumn aspen colors. This fall, WTA volunteers and partners landed another win for trails in the Spokane area, this time in the form of a trail connecting two of the region’s largest swaths of public land. 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. Mica Lake and the Mica Lake Basin as seen from “Middle Agnes” with one of the two Little Agnes Peaks in the distance. Asking around town we decided to backpack to Goodwin Lake and Jackson Ridge. Woke up a little after 10 pm realizing that we had a problem with snow. After coming out from Goodwin Brook and I did some sight-seeing around Jackson Hole. Truly beautiful. Stay on Valleyway, which will turn into Lakeside, for about 2.5 miles, then Brook was definitely excited by finding the snow. The entire Selkirk Range extends from Mica Peak north well into Canada. The Zirkel Wilderness which is northwest of Steamboat provided my entry into backpacking and fishing. Seattle, WA 98104. I ended up in Steamboat Springs that winter only to see the mountain close because of no snow. On the way up Mica Peak. Go Hiking Hiking Guide Mica Lake to Box Mountain Lake Unpublished Hike This hike hasn't been reviewed yet. It was time to say goodbye to my old backpacking buddy. The trail is primarily used for hiking. I was surprised to see all of the energy exploration activity while driving across Utah on Hwy 40. 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. Once on the top the 360 views were amazing. The small store in Clark provided the entry. Randy Godfrey of Bellingham, Washington, shared this story from 1978 on a PCT section hike in the Washington Cascades. I was still sucking air, but acclimation to the altitude was progressing. Length 2.6 miElevation gain 291 ftRoute type Out & back Mica Peak is the Southernmost peak in the Selkirk Mountain Range. 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. We were treated with a beautiful sunset and sunrise. Now back to Steamboat to recuperate and prepare for the hike I had anticipated the most, the Devil’s Causeway. 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. But that is her choice and she seemed to be OK with sleeping outside during the storm. The following day we needed to traverse the open space of the Wyoming Trail over to where we would descend to Three Island lake. The view would have been of the mountains next to the town of Jackson but the smoke filtered the view extensively. MICA also offers guided glacier treks if you prefer a more leisurely exploration of the glacier and it’s grandeur. Stats: Date: 7/13/2008 Distance: 12 miles Elevation gain: 2000' (cumulative) Class (difficulty): 1 Time: 2:45 Range: Columbia Partner(s Access the conservation area by hiking, biking, or riding along the road from the parking lot. My split second decision was to not hit the brake since I think that might have allowed the deer to hit the windshield. Note: Mica Peak was acquired in 2013 through Spokane County's Conservation Futures Program. I did get lucky waking up in time to capture the sunrise. Stay on Molter for a bit over a mile, then turn left on E Valleyway Avenue. Mica Mines Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Grand Junction, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The animal was so elegant in how it effortlessly bounded over the fallen trees. The trailhead started at about 8100′ and I hiked up to about 10000′ above Goodwin Lake exploring Jackson Ridge. and Jackson Ridge. I ended up falling twice with my backpack on while bushwhacking over fallen trees. Consult your map to plan your route. During that time I was discovering my passions (Second Quarter). I retired at the end of June, backpacked the Wallowa’s, Three Sisters and the Timberline Trail to get back in the groove with the main adventure goal to backpack around Steamboat Springs, CO, during the month of September. 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 - … This type of accident is typically reserved for evening travel, but this was middle of the afternoon, traffic was heavy. 今日はこのMica Lakeより先に進む予定だった We all got to ride the gondola down. The climb up to the Causeway was steady with a final push at the end. Posted in Backpacking, Brook, Colorado, Hiking, Wilderness, Tags: Gilpin Lake, Goodwin Lake, Jackson Hole, Mica Lake, Mt. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 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. Mica Hill is a relatively new trail in the Cape Breton Highlands. Heading off on a month-long journey with my dog required some planning but for the most part we just adapted to the situation. 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. So I took the hit which damaged the entire passenger side of my car. This off-grid retreat is located in Eastern Ontario on Rideau Valley Conservation land in beautiful Tay Valley . I was impressed but not scared. This story is much longer but the outcome included living and working around Steamboat until 1987. Meet Mica cabin, our most remote "Cabinscape" to date. She is not afraid of a storm but she does not want to be in the tent during a storm. The trail starts off on the Glasgow Lakes trail, and you hang left at the fork in the trail to start this. There is water on either side of the pass above Gilpin Lake. Finally reaching the sign provided a very positive feeling. This area also shows the signs of open range grazing along with offering good fishing. It was time to venture into the Flattops Wilderness with an overnight that would help to prepare Bob for a multi-day outing. Robson and Kinbasket Lake in the same field of view on a When here, look for sub-alpine low brush to fragrant Ponderosa pine forest. Returning to my backpacking origins was a confirmation of that passion as well as a walk down memory lane. Hike by WTA Community: I was gonna hike farther but Mica Lake changed my plan. On to the trail which was still easy to follow. The road to the trailhead turned out to be the worst we would encounter, but the Rav4 handled the challenge. The hike is basic but with some vertical challenge. There is a Mica Peak (5241') in Idaho which is a few miles east of the Mica Peak in Washington. The very first crossing was right by our campsite and thankfully there had not been snow melt to raise the stream. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Campsite was well maintained. This page contains a trip report and pictures for a hike to the top of Mica Peak in Northern Idaho. Brook and I shared the lake with a 4 or 5 other groups but the basin was essentially ours alone. Route Description. It is said to have a nice view of Lake Coeur d'Alene as well as Spokane. Once I switched to the Wyoming Trail I could tell that I was alone except for hunters who might be lurking in the woods. Many trails exist here, but main access is via the parking lot on Belmont Road. Do not confuse the summit of Big Agnes with Point 11777. However, there was a fair amount of thunder and lightning which Brook had to deal with. 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. The road is bordered by private property, so stay on the road. The area hosts several varieties of flora, thanks to its elevation change from the parking area to the summit. Aspen and birch groves also thrive here, making the hill glow gold in the autumn. 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. The jacuzzi at our hotel was so wonderful. We chose the trail to Hooper Lake from Stillwater Reservoir that would take us up over a saddle for a spectacular view back over Stillwater. The problem was that I did not have a map showing me exactly where that connection would be made. Lots of water activities. From the I-90 Liberty Lake exit take Appleway east to N Molter Road. 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. 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. I started out on my first trip on August 3rd needing to escape the Labor Day weekend vacation crowds. Randy has been hiking and climbing since he was 14 years old. I was banging the snow off the tent which scared Brook and she went out on her own. The first night we actually got a little rain which definitely improved the smoke situation. It's a destination for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Trailhead Take the Paquette Lake Road and park at the lake Lat: 46.834629 Long: -60 This was trip was also about acclimating to the altitude. The weather was perfect and my campsite on a rock next to the lake was perfect. We dealt with this on drive days by stopping at parks to play some ball. Turn left (east) onto Belmont Road and follow for 4.1 miles to the end of the road. Broncos looked great. I think Brook really appreciated it as well. Among other projects here, WTA volunteers helped complete the California Creek trail, the connecting segment that made the traverse to Liberty Lake possible. A few fires had sprung up around Steamboat and were now contributing to a less than desirable air quality. My adventure to Steamboat was not a random choice. 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