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Hike 6/14 Ross Lake Hike & Boat Ride
Hiking down the hill to Ross Dam at the start of the day
We hiked across the 540-foot-tall dam
Looking downstream from the dam. Cloudy skies ruled until late morning.
Ross Dam was built in 1949, and is the tallest of the three dams on the Skagit River.
The trail goes past Ross Lake Resort, so we took a side trip to check out the accommodations.
There are about a dozen cabins, and they are very hard to get a reservation for.
A look around Ross Lake Resort. What a spectacular setting.
People who stay at the cabins can rent canoes, kayaks, or small power boats. Fishing is popular.
So is just lounging around.
Scene from the trail along Ross Lake
Clouds dissipated by noon, revealing the many mountains surrounding the lake.
Taking a break on a sunny hilside
Ruby Mountain and others tower above Ross Lake.
Thick vegetation along the trail, like the salal seen here
First sighting of a tiger lily this year
Pinesap growing on the forest floor
Candystick showing it's unusual coloring
Desolation Peak comes into view
Forest floor was often carpeted with moss
Pierce Creek made for a nice spot to refill water bottles
Pierce Falls dropped into a deep gorge next to the trail
Big Beaver Creek, a major tributary of Ross Lake, was crossed on a large footbridge
Our water taxi arrives at the Big Beaver dock, right on time at 4pm
Speeding across Ross Lake
Pumpkin Mountain rises above the wake of our boat
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