At the end of June I returned to Stake Lake to do three loops, two on the lake and one on the trails.     I got an early start since it was the long July 1st weekend.   I launched my kayak at 7:15 am and paddled twice around the lake, once in each direction.     There were other boats on the water, quietly fishing.    Two loons had two chicks and called if we came too close.    A mother duck had a flock of ducklings in a bay.   Shoreline birds called as I paddled by.

The waters of Stake Lake are very clear and there are some marl shoals to paddle over.   The skies were mostly clear with some windblown clouds.

After an hour of paddling, I secured the boat and donned by hiking shoes.    I hiked the
Giant Firs Trail over to the marshes area.

I continued along the Marsh Trail where I found some mosquitoes, but I kept moving so it was okay until I got out to the ski trails.

I followed a series of trails, going completely around the large marsh, finishing back at the lake for a 70 minute hike.

On other days I paddle a nearby lake (McConnell, Lodgepole, McQueen, Paska, or Walloper), then come back to Stake Lake to hike a different loop route.   A favorite summer outing each year….