Tag Archives: Stake Lake

McConnell Lake Loops

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We hike, paddle, and snowshoe in McConnell Lake Park over the whole year.    On a day in the middle of September, it was an early start to do loops on and around the lake.    My kayak was the first boat on the lake.    The paddle around the lake took about 36 minutes.    Afterward, the boat was secured and hiking shoes were put on for a hike around the 3.5 km lakeside trail.    With unloading and reloading the boat, the whole workout was about 2 hours.    There were loons and eagles out on and over the lake, and kokanee could be seen swimming below.

The hike is a winding trail through Douglas Fir and lodgepole pine forest, and there are some damper areas with mixed forests.      It is a popular trail for families and for dog walkers, especially at prime times.    With an early start on a weekday it was mostly a quiet paddle and hike.   

On some days after paddling, the option to hike the Stake Lake Trails offers some variety, but all of the days paddling on Stake Lake, McConnell Lake, or Lac le Jeune followed by a hike on nearby trails are good days in the uplands forests.    

Shared here are some photos taken while paddling and hiking at McConnell Lake.  

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McConnell Hill Loop

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At the end of the first week of September, we got an early start to hike the McConnell Hill Loop route.    From the Stake Lake parking area we followed a series of double track ski trails (Cartwheel – Ponderosa – Sitting Bull – Rustler) to get to point on the southwest corner of the hill.    We then followed a single track snowshoe trail (Bushwhacker) … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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 →