Since I have this weekend off, I decided to skip the I-90 corridor and head for something with hopefully a little more solitude.
West Fork Foss is one of my all-time favorite trails, but I've never made it to the end for various reasons, mainly trail conditions/length. I definitely didn't today! The trail is in great shape up to trout lake, and there were a couple of groups camping up there this weekend despite the rain. The snow up to here is basically all gone, and the trail is suitable for most hikers. There is some mud and there are some roots and rocks on the trail. The Trilium is in full bloom on this part of the trail right now! (Not pictured here, WTA doesn't allow very many photo uploads.
It is worth climbing a ways above Trout Lake to get some better views, as this is a wonderful trail. However, getting to the other lakes right now will require some route finding and winter travel skills. There is one very large fallen log in a spot where the trail just seems to vanish, but you just need to follow the log up the slope. Before Copper Lake, I ran into a sketchy bridge crossing (in the pictures), and tried to follow the stream up in order to try to find a more suitable place to cross. I didn't, but I trudged up through knee-deep snow to find what I am pretty sure was Lake Malachite.
I want to come back to this trail in a few weeks, when it is hopefully melted out.
Comments
Mike on West Fork Foss River and Lakes
You are correct. That is Lake Malachite. I got out to Little Heart Lake on a day hike before I turned around but that was a couple of years ago and later in the season when I wasn't fighting the snow to get there.
Posted by:
Mike on May 14, 2017 12:14 PM
AnthonyPearce on West Fork Foss River and Lakes
Thanks for confirming! I don't think this trail is going to melt out completely until Late June at earliest this year.
Posted by:
AnthonyPearce on May 14, 2017 06:51 PM
HermitThrush on West Fork Foss River and Lakes
That is crazy! How much snow you think was on the ground by Lake Malachite?
Posted by:
HermitThrush on May 14, 2017 05:22 PM
AnthonyPearce on West Fork Foss River and Lakes
Well the snow was deep and soft when I went up because I went up later in the day. I was sinking in about knee-deep, so maybe 18 inches? The picture of the bridge is probably a better indicator of overall snow cover, so at least 4 feet in all I think. If you want to go any further, definitely bring a full winter kit and the skills to use it.
Posted by:
AnthonyPearce on May 14, 2017 06:54 PM