Only one person seen on the trail, mid day, mid week. Nice walk thru the woods and along the river, as described by others. Miner's Lettuce and Nettles about 2 ft tall, best time to eat those I've heard. Not sure if its ok to cut those here though, probably not.
Beautiful sides of the trail full of my favorites. I should go back in a couple weeks to see if those really are maidenhair ferns, and to get a few salmonberries, now forming as the bright pink blooms fade. I'm pretty sure I saw Hooker's Fairy Bells, Rosy Twisted Stalk, False Solomon's Seal, False Lily of the Valley, Bleeding Heart, Skunk Cabbage, Yellow Wood Violet & so many more. Many Trillium, most fading to purple, some far off in the woods still white.
Trail ends in the middle of the bridge, and didn't look safe to try to cross, though if you didn't mind getting wet, you could do it. We saw one beaver swimming slowly in the distance, noticed at least 3 large lodges of built up sticks, and much evidence of beaver dams. One place you could see the 1 to 2 ft difference in water levels, above and below one of the large dams appearing to cross part of the lake.
On the way back, we got to see a small black bear loping up the hill, just for a few seconds before disappearing.
Addition on 5/10/21
Hubby took some picts and got a short video of the bear we saw, so posted link. Hope it works. And the frog, he took that.
Comments
Muledeer on Beaver Lake
Cool to see the beaver and bear! I've been on that hike many times and have yet to see a beaver
Posted by:
Muledeer on May 04, 2021 08:58 PM
Kim Brown on Beaver Lake
This is among my favorite trails for wood flowers as well. I think I had identified over 35 different kinds of plants along that trail years ago for a class. I bet you're thinking of the wood fern at the beginning on the trail. It's low; bright green, lacy and beautiful. For a real treat, when the Canada dogwood flowers bloom, go to the water gaging station - the forest floor in that area is COVERED with them. It's like a dogwood carpet.
Hooker's fairy bells, skunk cabbage, stink currant, etc. It's wonderful!
Like Muledeer, I haven't seen a beaver there either, and I bet I've walked that trail 90 times. Hikers returning two minutes from ponds even say "We saw a beaver!" and two minutes later, I arrive - no beaver.
Posted by:
Kim Brown on May 06, 2021 12:57 PM
Kim Brown on Beaver Lake
This is among my favorite trails for wood flowers as well. I think I had identified over 35 different kinds of plants along that trail years ago for a class. I bet you're thinking of the wood fern at the beginning on the trail. It's low; bright green, lacy and beautiful. For a real treat, when the Canada dogwood flowers bloom, go to the water gaging station - the forest floor in that area is COVERED with them. It's like a dogwood carpet.
Hooker's fairy bells, skunk cabbage, stink currant, etc. It's wonderful!
Like Muledeer, I haven't seen a beaver there either, and I bet I've walked that trail 90 times. Hikers returning two minutes from ponds even say "We saw a beaver!" and two minutes later, I arrive - no beaver.
Posted by:
Kim Brown on May 06, 2021 12:57 PM
Added Bear Video
Hi viewers,
Thanks for all comments. Added in bear video, take a look.
CJ
Posted by:
SylsHikes on May 10, 2021 04:19 PM