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White Pine Lake Hike, June 24,
2012
19 people met at the Smith's
parking lot for this hike! Gary, Roddy, Tim, Jeanne,
Diane, Ann, Jane, Dave W., Dinah, Chris and Jen (and their dog)
hiked in one large group all the way to White Pine Lake.
Ed went back after 2 1/2 miles to take photos and to wait at
Tony Grove. Dave E., Dan, Reinhard, Crystal and Sierra
hiked as a slower-paced separate group, but they went all the
way to the lake. Barbara and Patty came along to enjoy the
Tony Grove, but they did not participate in the hike.
This was a great day for
hiking! It was hot in Logan, but the moderate breeze made
for comfortable hiking weather in the mountains. We saw
many wildflowers, including the unusual Clematis
hirsutissima (hairy clematis, or sugarbowls) in the meadow
about 1/2 mile from the trailhead. There still were
a few snow banks with nearby spring beauty and
glacier lily flowers as
we descended the north-facing slope to White Pine Lake. We enjoyed lunch with a view
along the side of the Lake. On the way back we took the
pleasant side trip to the Naomi Peak Trail, where several hikers
chose to walk down to the Tony Grove Nature Trail, past the
Giant Staircase, as they returned to the trailhead.
The trail was in good
condition, but there were a few problems. Trail users have
created parallel paths over much of the first 2/3 mile. As
we approached White Pine Lake we encountered switchbacks that
have been short-cut, more parallel paths, broken signs, damaged
handrails on the bridge and water on the trail. The Tony
Grove parking lot was almost full when we got back in spite of
the $5 fee (an attendant was stationed there to make sure
everyone paid for parking).
Total distance for this hike
was about 7.5 miles round-trip and 1200 feet elevation
gain. Total trip duration for the larger group of hikers,
including the drive from parking lot to trailhead and back, was
about 7 hours (8:00 to 3:00). The slower-paced group
returned to Logan about 6:00.
13 Cache Hikers, near the beginning of the trail
Getting ready to leave our White Pine Lake lunch spot
r
"Sugarbowls", an unusual non-viney member of the Clematis
genus
White Pine GPS track, June 24,
2012