Last time we found this beautiful wilderness lake by taking what they call the ridge trail, which wound across and over the mountains and high above the enchanting mountain lake. The previous blog included photos taken from the cliffs on the south and west sides of the lake.
We tried to make it down to the lake, but ended up stalled on a 300 foot high cliff. Try as we might, we could not find a safe way down to Babyfoot.
This time, we used the lower route and wound through the mountains to the lake itself. It was really worth a second hike and now we viewed the rugged high cliffs from the shore of the lake itself.
This new area was badly burned in 2002 and it's having a hard recovery for this once - magnificent forest. There are vast areas that the fire skipped, but here it hit hard as if it also wanted to go down and take a look at the lake. The skies today were again filled with smoke from two forest fires burning in the Central Oregon Cascade Mountains.
The smoke gave the skies a dusky pallor as it hung in the passes and refused to be pushed out by the gentle breezes. It did not hinder the sun however, from finding the lake and illuminating its' crystal clear waters.
We found the usual jays, chipmunks, crows and squirrels. Brilliant blue dragonflies patrolled the flights of dancing orange butterflies along the shores. Mosquitoes were not welcome here and were nowhere to be found on this 90 degree day. (Originating in Minnesota and having lived throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, I have an immunity to mosquitoe bites, but I just hate the little nuisances, and wonder how I can be so fortunate to not have them follow me here.)
The woods were covered with new life and the colorful Oregon Grape, our state flower, did its' best to color in the landscape with its' brilliant leaves and clusters of blue berries.
We did see the largest coyote I have ever laid eyes on, it was huge! About the size of a female gray wolf. This coyote wasn't quite as timid as they usually are. It ran away fast, but in a deliberate exit, not a fearful retreat. This was at about 3000 feet above sea level.
We have yet to see a bear or an elk, but I think that's because we're in the middle of hunting season right now and the animals know it. We'll just have to keep looking, as I really am enjoying the search. I know they are there because we've seen the signs, but that's for another blog.
