Ross Lake

Back in August four of us drove up to Ross Lake.  It's about 25 miles long and spans the US - Canada border in northern Washington.  There are a number of campsites around the lake with some on islands.  The plan was to paddle from campsite to campsite and do some hiking in between.  

Leaving Hozomeen Campground near the Canadian border.

One of many many beautiful scenes.  

We glided over the clear glassy lake surrounded by forested peaks.

Mt. Jack and it's glacier

First night at Boundary Bay camp.  All of the campsites were beautiful, clean,  and accessible.  At most camps we tied our boats right up next to the site.  A luxury if you have ever kayaked in tidal zones or where shipping traffic is a concern.

We rested comfortably while our boats nestled nicely in little coves.

Looking north toward Canada from Cat Island.  There were some really nice camp sites on this island.  We wanted to stay here but it was all booked up.  No wonder!

A little islet off Cat Island where we stopped to stretch our legs on the Paddle from Boundary Bay to Lightning Creek, our  second camp.  

Valkyries?

From the Lightning Creek camp we paddle back to the trail head for the Desolation  Peak hike.

Wounded but alive!  I made it.  Check out Hozomeen Mt. just over my shoulder.  Jack Kerouac was spooked by Hozomeen.

Sweetie under Hozomeen!

A little over 6k ft. at the top.  We hiked about 4500 ft. of elevation in
about 4.5 miles.  It was the hardest thing I have ever done.  Not bad for a
guy who had his heart on a table for re-plumbing a few years ago.

The cove just off our campsite at Big Beaver.  This was the best campsite of the trip.

Just after this picture Catherine and I were sitting by the water near those two trees sipping our coffee.  We heard a whoooooosh just above our heads and looked up to see a hawk take a sparrow in mid air just 20 ft or so above.  It was amazing to hear the whoosh and thump as the Hawk grabbed the Sparrow in mid air and flew off with it it's talons.

Near the start of the Big Beaver hike.

At the finish of what ended up being about a 10 mile hike up the Big Beaver trail.

Heading back.  First signs of inclement weather.  Notice that the lake isn't quite to glassy.  

Back at Hozomeen before the rain hits.  The wind had subsided as we neared Hozomeen.  It was about a7 mile paddle from our last camp at Little Beaver.