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 | DW2
Senior Member
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West Coast, B.C.
1396 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2007 : 8:42 PM
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What a hot weekend it was and what a great trip! We decided on our destination after last weeks trip up Frosty where we looked over to the Skyline trail and it seemed fairly snow free.
 Skyline ridge in foreground
Skyline 1 trailhead starts from either Strawberry Flats or Lightening Lakes, as the trip can be made as a crossover. We started from the Lightening Lake side. Since the campground is still closed, we parked at the Lone Duck Campground and walked from there, but not before getting lectured from a cub group leader that was camped there. Since it was a group camp they insisted we had no right to park at that spot (?). After a bit of discussion we left the car and headed out.
There continues to be a lot of work/clean up at the Lightening Lake Campground as a result of the massive winds of last fall. They are at it 7 days a week and hope to open some time this month. In saying that, I have no idea when the trail will be cleared. The section from the Spruce Bay parking lot to the Skyline trailhead junction is an on going obstacle course of trees, and this continues the length of LL-Strike Lake. The snow along the lakeshore is gone except for a few patches here and there. From the junction there is one big blowdown area just up the trail and then it is a tree down here and there (all manageable).
 Typical scene around Lightening Lakes and up the first section of the Skyline trail
The trail is snowfree until you reach the bridged creek crossing:
 On the way in we crossed above the bridge, and on the way back it had melted out so we crossed at the bridge
The trail from this point is pretty much snow covered. Snowshoes and gaitors were not needed, but we packed them. Once we got to the old burn section of the trail, the route was a mix of partially exposed trail or snow. The snow was compact and we did not sink at all making the walk decent.
  
 
From the trail we could see down to Lightening and Strike Lakes:
 Lightening Lake
  Strike Lake
We arrived on the high point on the ridge after 4 hours (includes breakes etc) and set up our camp:
  
From camp we had awesome views:
   Mt. Frosty area
  Hozameen...Hi Dru!
   First glacier melt floral show
And then there was the sunset:
     
The temperature was warm and we only needed a light jacket later in the evening. My only complaint was the flies...they were biting bad!
In the morning it was hot right from the get go, so we retraced our steps and headed back down the trail. We were driving off from the parking lot within 3 hours of leaving camp. Excellent trip!
Happy trails,
DW2   |
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 Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5470 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2007 : 8:57 PM
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Thanks for the report!! There's another idea for next weekend.
I like this shot
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 Best grilled cheese maker ever
Whitehorse, YUKON
Canada
2159 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2007 : 9:33 PM
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| Sweet pics! That area kicks ass. |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5902 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2007 : 9:35 PM
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How wonderful DW2, great pictures and report.
Happy hiking,
Lynn |
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Langley, BC
Canada
1699 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2007 : 10:36 PM
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| Cool! Great pics.. |
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Beaverton, ON
Canada
1296 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2007 : 10:52 PM
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Nice TR you guys!
I prefer doing this trail from Lightning Lakes, as you have great views 'in you face' the whole way, once you gain the ridge. 
Love your sun set pics. Too bad about the biting insects though! 
Boy you guys keep busy! 
Dusty |
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double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4523 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2007 : 11:19 PM
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what a beautiful shot, this:
Love the photos of the valleys below, too.
I was looking up from the Skagit River road on our drive back this afternoon, and thinking about Skyline II. The two Skylines are on my calendar this summer.
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challenge seeker, bagless sleeper, bare bones, trail trooper
Abbotsford, BC
Canada
1957 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2007 : 06:49 AM
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What a great-weather weekend for an overnighter. Enjoyed the report and photos.  |
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Chwk, BC
Canada
457 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2007 : 06:55 AM
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| Beautiful shots. |
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Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia
Canada
221 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2007 : 9:32 PM
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Great shots!
Thanks for sharing. |
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Topic |
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Skyline 1 overnighter June 3-4,2007
