Tag Archives: Stake Lake

Rattler Viewpoint Hike

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On a warm day in mid-June I returned to hike to Rattler Viewpoint on a combination of trails.    In the previous year I had hiked from Stake Lake, but this year I chose to start at the south end of the trail system, just off the Rossmore Forest Service Road.   I followed ski trails, snowshoe trails, off-piste trails and some off-trail sections, mostly in the forest to the hilltop.   I met some mountain bikers on the main trails, but on the side trails there was no one else.     The hike took about 140 minutes.

There were many wildflowers in bloom, a few mosquitoes, but also some pollinators, various birds, and lots of interesting trees – lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, spruce, and aspens.   I found some geocaches along the way too.  This is a hike I choose to do in the late spring or summer for a 2+ hour hike in partial shade.   I had recently hiked the Lac le Le Jeune Lookout hike and I have scheduled the McConnell Hill hike for early July.

There are no impressive views along these routes, but it is a good hike to enjoy trails through the Interior Plateau forest.   Shared here are a few photos taken on this hike

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Stake Snowshoe Loop

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On the last day of the year I cross country skied first then snowshoed a 2.3 hour loop route on the Stake Lake Snowshoe Trails.    We followed signed trails – Giant Firs > Marsh > Basalt Bluffs > Lake Trail.   The trails were stomped in and in good shape (thanks to Roy and Monika for the trail clearing).   This is a scenic route without long … Continue reading →

A Stake Triple

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On an October morning, I chose to do three loops of paddling and hiking at Stake Lake.   Conditions were cool and cloudy at the start as I paddled around the lakeshore.    On the second loop, the skies cleared and the wind was lighter.    after paddling twice around the lake, I secured the kayak on the rack, then went out for a loop route on … Continue reading →

Stake Loops

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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 … Continue reading →

Basalt Bluffs Snowshoe

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On a sunny and cool February day we snowshoed on the Stake Lake Trails.    We followed a track along the east side of the lake, then continued on a stomped-in track for a 5.4 km loop route on the Basalt Bluffs and Marsh Trails. There was no wind and it was actually warmer at 1320 m (4330 ft.) at Stake Lake than it was in … Continue reading →