Did a quick overnighter to Soda Peaks Lake in the Trapper Creek Wilderness from the lower end. Only a very few patches of snow just before the lake going up. But going above the lake to the ridge towards the back-side trailhead, you hit full snow within 10 minutes of the lake. So that route needs at least a week to substantially melt out.
The big news is that the trailhead for the lower route is no longer Iron Mike. That trail is closed and the route now reverts back to what it was a few years ago: start at the Trapper Creek trailhead and turn left at the trail 133 junction. There is even a brand spanking new bridge across Trapper Creek for the #133:
Trapper Creek from the bridge
There was no sign that the old trailhead was gone and you should go the other way. All indications of the trailhead and trail were taken out at the old trailhead, but it wasn't till I saw the actual trail start that I got the idea
But this is down the road a bit from the parking spot so I was committed at that point and it was only a half mile to get to join the actual trail, so I soldiered on through the devils club and around fallen trees so large they seemingly would have killed all the dinosaurs when they fell. I came out the other way and found the bridge.
The trail is logged out most of the way. Once you reach the top of the ridge, there was still some blockages. I threw lots of stuff off the trail and even brought my handsaw to cut one small one away. There was one large tree across the trail mere yards from the lake. I got a start on it.
The old large camp that the trail goes through is now closed to camping
But I found a nice spot
I did my duty with my food. Look closely for my orange food bag hanging here
Nice shots of the lake
The sun setting on Soda Peak
Soda Peaks Lake
Re: Soda Peaks Lake
Thanks for the TR and pix and for getting a start on the blowdown. I've been thinking about Soda Peaks Lake for a while now and was curious about snow levels.
Re: Soda Peaks Lake
Thanks for the informative TR! Finally - a new bridge on the 133 - who would have guessed? So much better than trying to follow the deteriorating old trail up from Iron Mike. Looks like a new "No Camping" sign at the lake too.
Re: Soda Peaks Lake
Thanks for the report, Dean! I guess I can update the Field Guide now. Can I use your picture of the new bridge?
Re: Soda Peaks Lake
Of course, always ready for ph.org to make me famous. I even started taking some photos of the Iron Mike TH for your page, but now they are moot.bobcat wrote:Thanks for the report, Dean! I guess I can update the Field Guide now. Can I use your picture of the new bridge?
-
- Posts: 3066
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
- Contact:
Re: Soda Peaks Lake
Nice! This is a spot I haven't been to before, although it's been on my to-hike list for awhile. Maybe this year!