CASCADE RANGE, OREGON
SKY LAKES WILDERNESS
FOUR MILE LAKE AREA
JUNE, 1991
INTRODUCTION
This is
a combination of two hikes in the same area. The first
started out as a backpack to Island Lake, but due to deep
snow, I had to retreat. Curious about what my destination
would have looked like, the next day I hiked from a north
trail, which was clear of snow to Island Lake.
25
June, 3:10 p.m.
I left the truck at 1:10 p.m. The weather was overcast with
some broken clouds. The temperature was about 60 degrees.
The trail was nice until I hit snow drifts that were 2 to 4
feet high. I also ran into small ponds of snowmelt forming
in the trail near Squaw Lake. It was very slow going
through here. I stopped at about 2:30 to scout the trail
because it became confusing north of Squaw Lake. There
appeared to be two trails here. One had a pond of snowmelt
in it and was bearing northwest. I dropped my pack here to
scout The northwest trail appears to be the one, although I
found two markers (one on the ground) on the other trail,
but it petered out and became a drainage with no evidence
of foot traffic. I heard some thunder in the distance a
couple of minutes ago.
26
June
What a bust. I left about 3:20 from where I stopped to
scout and have a snack. I soon (after climbing more snow
drifts) came upon the junction with the Pacific Crest
Trail. Going uphill, I encountered even greater and longer
snow drifts. I stopped at one point and said to myself
"fifteen more minutes of this and I'm turning back". The
drifts were now four to six feet in height. It was very
slow going. I came upon one spot on the trail where it
broke out of the woods and I could see Fourmile Lake. This
gave me renewed enthusiasm. Not for long though. Another
hour of slogging through and up and down the piles of snow
were beginning to take their toll. I couldn't find the Cat
Hill Way trail. I wanted to go up here to make a loop trip.
I continued up the Pacific Crest Trail. At 5:00, when all I
could see ahead of me on the trail was snow, I stopped. I
was getting tired and I wasn't sure what I would find at
Island Lake. There had been no decent camp spots along the
trail, save one I saw just north of the Fourmile Lake
overlook I stopped at. After about fifteen minutes of
deliberation I reluctantly turned back, not looking forward
to retracing my steps. Surprisingly, I made it out by 7:40,
exhausted. It was raining the last fifteen minutes. My
boots were soaked, and I had a small blister. Looking back,
I realized it was probably a good decision, since Blue
Canyon Basin would probably have had quite a bit of snow,
and I was about three and a half miles from Island Lake and
that area probably had snow also. Today I will check it out
on a day hike to Island Lake.
30
June, 9:30am
I hiked to Island Lake via the Lost Creek trail. The
trailhead was off of FR 3659. I left at about 2:00 p.m. It
rained a little before I left. The trail was very easy to
follow. I found pink and white flags along the trail which
eventually left the trail and headed north. I followed them
for about a quarter of a mile. They continued across Lost
Creek and beyond. I finally had to stop for a nature break.
I was forced to gather moss off the trees since I had
forgotten to bring along some toilet paper. It wasn't as
bad as I initially thought. I gave up on the little flags
and retraced my steps to the main trail.
I continued up the trail to the junction with the Badger
Lake trail. Just before the junction, I came across Center
Lake. Here I stopped to take in the view and take some
pictures. I first heard, then saw a bald eagle fly right in
front of me. I snapped a picture, but am not sure if it
will turn out since I had a wide angle lens mounted on the
camera. The eagle was a beautiful sight and sound of his
wings beating the air was breathtaking. At the junction, I
followed the Badger Lake trail northwest to the junction
with the Pacific Crest trail. I stopped here to take a
picture. A family that had been fishing was making their
way out and passed me while I was stopped there. We
exchanged greetings. I continued north on the Badger Lake
trail to the junction of the Red Lakes and Blue Canyon
trails. I headed west on the Blue Canyon trail a short
distance to where I could see Island Lake. I left the trail
and went down to the edge of the lake. There was quite a
bit of snow here. I would have come by here heading west
the other day if I could have found the Blue Canyon trail
cutoff from the Pacific Crest trail. There was still a lot
of snow on the trail. I'm glad I turned back the other day.
There were some decent camp spots here at Island Lake, but
I think I wouldn't have made it this far due to the snow.
Island Lake is very pretty, and indeed does have an island
in the middle of it. While exploring the area, I came
across the tree that Judge J.B. Waldo carved
his name on some years ago. It was dated 1888. It was
surrounded by a fence protecting the historic graffiti.
This immediate area would make a good camp site. While I
was exploring a marsh like area created by the snowmelt
flowing toward the lake, it began to rain. I covered my
camera and as well as myself with my poncho. I heard a
little thunder. After spending some time soaking in the
beauty of this area, I decided to head back. I heard
more thunder as I left and it began to rain a little
heavier. In fact, it rained for almost the entire walk
back to the trailhead. I had left a cairn at the
junction of the Badger Lake and Lost Creek trails, but I
almost missed it, as I nearly missed every other
junction. I must be more aware. Someone was watching
over me, for I could have very easily passed each of
these by. At one point the thunder became intense and
the rain really began to come down. I sought shelter
under a large group of trees and waited for about ten
minutes for the rain to subside. By the time I reached
the trailhead, it was barely drizzling. This hike was
very rewarding. I had plenty of solitude. This whole
area seems so devoid of people. I'm amazed. Maybe it's
too early in the season.