Larch Lakes (Entiat) — Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009

Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan

Larch Trees were at their peak this weekend, probably good for the remainder of the week too, but weather will be bad. There were about 10 tents in the basin and 15 to 20 people - I think I took the last campsite. Weather reports warned of record low temperatures this weekend and they were not joking... it was frigid, I wouldn't be surprised if it dipped below 0. Cozy in my Dark Star -40 bag, pitty the poor fool in a coleman. Stumbled across 2 motorcycles, 2 mountain bikes, a horseman and several dogs - despite the ill ire of Ira we all got along just fine and the larch trees were no worst for the wear. The only small frustration I had was with a youngster out breaking the ice ruining the pristine freeze the next morning. Its all good. Getting to larch lakes- hike to Myrtle Lake and proceed as if to hike Cow Meadows trail, about 5 minutes after you leave the lake heading up the Cow Meadows trail there will be hiker trail that exits to the right that crosses about 1 mile to intercept Larch Lake trail. there are 2 good creeks about 3/4 of the way across, worthy of a water stop before you hit the ascent. The ascent up larch lake Trail is under tree cover the bottom half and mostly exposed the upper half. The bottom half has about 500 feet of straight up with no switch backs. Interesting note - about 1 mile or so into the hike trail crews have built a nice bridge, but it looks like the creek has recently gouged a new bed about 50' beyond as if to suggest the bridge will end up being useless? hope not, its a really nice bridge. Photos posted at CannedSwank.com go to portfolio and find menu item Montanea/Larch 09... note the black and white looking photos are not B&W, they are infrared.