Tough bushwhack up to Cherry Lake. Nice falls at far end.
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Washington Trails
AssociationTrails for everyone, forever
Tough bushwhack up to Cherry Lake. Nice falls at far end.
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Ups n Downs on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
Great report. This one has been on my radar for a while too. I thought you could make it to the gate 1/2 mile before crossing the creek and 'Upper Cherry Creek Falls'. Good to know. Not surprised about the balloon! :-)
Posted by:
Ups n Downs on Dec 02, 2018 07:08 PM
mato on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
This was also a recon for finding Drunken Charlie Lake - only about a half mile away. Since that wasn't on the itinerary, and I didn't have the time (or the heart) for any more bushwhacking, I called it a day.
Still some good exploring left to do in the area, but next time I'm thinking of biking the road portion...
Posted by:
mato on Dec 03, 2018 07:39 AM
Alternative Trail
May 2019: I too attempted to get to the falls via the creek and lake from below. I had met someone as I was parking that was also headed to the same lake to scout it for fishing. So we hiked the south side of the creeek and lake to a point high above the lake together and after hours of bushwacking only made it to the lake. As we were splitting ways, he headed back and me continuing up to the falls, we heard something big in the woods beyond our view but also very close. We assumed it was a bear and waited a while after making some ruckus to allow some distance. On our exit we opted to travel the north side as it seemed to be less dense and have less 70 yr old logging slash. Neither side really have an advantage from my experience. I did manage to find a 25yr old New Coke bottle and removed it.
December 2019: Decided to scout out a different route based on sattelite photos. Biked up to the same point as you would to access Drunken Charlie Lake. Theres a small cutoff to the West (left as your'e headed uphill) that leads to a sort of loop. At the very end of that loop is a 70yr old road grade with many blow downs. A long walk along this very lucsious woods and over a recent washout which I would have loved to see the water flowing through this valley! There is a very very very faint trail to the southwest (left side) that meanders up and over and eventually down to the falls.
Posted by:
dugfresh on Jan 29, 2020 03:44 PM
mato on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
For some reason this never popped up in my e-mail, and I just now saw it when looking at this old report. Thanks for the detailed reply. I was checking this report out for a possible return as I now have an e-bike and can cut down on the logging road part. I also noticed on the map that there may be a shorter route via Drunken Charlie Lake, but I have a distaste for fighting through clearcuts. Which way did you prefer? And kudos for going there twice!
Posted by:
mato on Mar 18, 2020 05:39 PM
dugfresh on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
I just re-visited the upper cherry lake falls. A new road has been cut through where the old rail bed was. The road cuts right to where the trail ambles down the steep slope to the falls. Looks like they're getting ready to do some serious clear cutting. Err.. more clear cutting. We were out there in November checking out another section that is above a cliff on Stossel Cr Rd and it was mostly cleared from atop. Had a clear view to Mt. Baker that day.
Posted by:
dugfresh on Dec 11, 2023 02:49 PM
mato on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
Thanks! Since there is now a shorter/easier way, I may have to go back and take another look. I also noticed on Google that there is a small cliff poking out of the trees just north of there - might have a good view east.
Do you know if the cabin is still there, near Elwell Creek? The logging a couple years ago got within sight of it, so it probably was discovered. Very impressive craftsmanship! (there is a photo in my report on 11/24/2020)
Posted by:
mato on Dec 15, 2023 07:28 AM
fourteen410 on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
Mato - we went poking around the SW fork of Elwell today but didn't find it. I can give you an update on where logging occured if you'd like to connect.
Posted by:
fourteen410 on Feb 19, 2024 07:43 PM
fourteen410 on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
Sorry - meant to say SW and SE forks.
Posted by:
fourteen410 on Feb 19, 2024 07:45 PM
fourteen410 on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
Went back today. Can confirm the cabin was spared.
Posted by:
fourteen410 on Feb 24, 2024 07:35 PM
mato on Marckworth Forest / Cherry Lake
Sweet! Very fine craftmanship, eh? Has the roof been repaired, or is it abandoned now?
Posted by:
mato on Feb 25, 2024 12:16 PM