Some pictures from our trip 8/31-9/2/2024

Wednesday 8/21/2024

After hiking to a couple of lakes via the Teeley Creek trail we drove up to the Big Creek Trail to get a few more miles.  We went as far as the viewpoint and skipped hiking down to the shore of Cora Lake.

Location: Big Creek Tr #252 to view above Cora Lake

Arrival Time: 11:40am

Number of Cars upon Arrival: 0 with one car we passed arriving just as we headed up the trail

Road conditions: gravel with potholes but do-able for any vehicle

 Weather conditions: overcast, dry, pleasantly cool. Foliage was wet but not too overgrown, so we did not get soaked.

Trail conditions:  good, some rutting due to dirt bike use

Trail grade and tread: decent, some steep spots

Hike features:  Lakes and abundant ripe huckleberries and mountain blueberries

Wildlife: 0

Bugs: 0

Number of cars upon return: 1 the car that arrived behind us, and one arrived as we were leaving 12:35p

Mileage: 2.21

Elevation gain: 610

I started out the hike, prepped for a 6 mile day to Cora and back, and I arrived at Cora Lake after possibly 1 mile from the trailhead. I am a bit confused by the description of this hike (distance anyways). I spoke with a camper and he told me about Granite Lake. I wanted to keep hiking and not just end at Cora since it had been so short to arrive there. My tracking device said I did 9.5 miles from just after the start of the trailhead, to Cora, to Granite and then back to the trailhead. Regardless of confusion on distance, the hike was gorgeous and I highly recommend it. It was not busy with other hikers, I did run into motorbikes and had to scurry up a steep hillside with my dogs so they could pass. A few folks were camped at Cora but I did not see or hear anyone at Granite. 

We entered from Big Creek Trailhead.  Trail in great condition other than the initial section rutted from motorbikes.  Didn’t see anyone until reaching lake, 4 others present spaced far from primary camp site. Extended the hike another mile up trail 251 toward Granite Lake, saw no one up there.  Lots of Huckleberries and Salmon Berries on upper trail.  Passed two “berry pie” poosp on the trail.  We traveled in a sedan, no concern just caution on turns and potholes.

A few weeks ago we couldn't drive to the trailhead because of snow, now it's perfect. This is a great hike except for a few things. The first half mile is fairly steep and rough due to a motorcycle digging a trench in the trails. There are 2 stream crossings where people were taking off their shoes. I was able to navigate over wet rocks and logs instead but you need to be careful. The other issue is tons of huge flying ants at the lake. If you're scared of insects maybe stay away for a while.

Highlights include scenic waterfalls, big trees, and big frogs! Fishing, however, was abysmal though some guys told me there are fish I didn't see any sign whatsoever. Overall, this is a great hike and this is a great time to go, except for the ants.