Spectacle Lake By Way Of Pete Lake Trail

Me on the vista of Spectacle Lake Trail

 I will start this off by stating this trek is not for the lighthearted, especially in early season packing such as June in the Northwest. Matter of fact, I have five blisters on my feet confirming for me that, in fact, this is likely the hardest trek I have done to date. With that being said, let's get to it!

 Trail rout, Pete Lake to Spectacle Lake via Cooper River

After a quick travel through Roslyn, WA, a town 80 miles east of Seattle, made up from years of coal-mining from the late 1800's, (Roslyn played a role in Washington State History by supplying fuel to the Northern Pacific Railroad trains during the construction of the rail line through the Cascade Mountains. It is the perfect place to stop and eat after a long adventure in the Cascade Mountains.) we headed straight to the Pete Lake Trailhead with our sights set on backpacking to Pete lake before dark.

The Pete Lake Trail is essentially an extension of the Cooper River Trail and is located just past the Owhi Campground. The trail begins with deep forest and quickly adds attractive views of the river, lush foliage and wildflowers. With a lack of vistas and only one large log crossing the trail is easy enough for families with children to trek. 
We settled in at Pete Lake just before dusk with just enough light to fix a quick meal and watch a magical sunset drop behind Big Summit Chief Mountain while a boy fished for what is said to be, "pan-sized rainbow trout" that flourish in this lake.

Pete Lake & Big Summit Chief Mountain at sunset

Due to the abundance of people visiting Pete Lake, the wildlife is happy to come snatch up your left out goodies. It's important to bring a bear bag if you plan to keep your food throughout the night. We even had a black tailed dear walk right into our camp and have a look around with what appeared to be little worry about our presence.

Shaun fording the second half of Lemah Creek

The next morning we were quick to rise and start our journey to Spectacle Lake. The trail takes you around the lake and along the Lemah Creek onto a Lemah Creek fording. The two part creek ford is fairly high in the early months of the summer, with some parts of the creek nearing our waist. I highly recommend caring trekking poles and adequate footwear. A footbridge was constructed along the PCT a mile north of this ford as an alternate crossing route without fording, but it has been washed out and reports indicate it has not been rebuilt. Once past the ford and after drying off the best we could, we continued northwest along the trail to the PCT junction and up the first series of switchbacks.

Passing through the rebirth of the Lemah Fire

The Lemah Fire, which was caused by a lightning strike in 2009, left the mountain with roughly 600 acres of burnt wilderness. In 2013 the mountain has reclaimed the forest with thick, sometimes waist high, vegetation and beautiful wildflowers. Tracks of wildlife along the trail indicate that deer, birds, rabbits, bobcats, coyotes, and yes, cougars roam the mountain side. We saw both fresh and old scat (cat poo) on many different parts of the trail. I was relieved to have my comrade with me on this part of the trail in particular. After a series of switchbacks and little shade, I was happy to be passing a creek once again.

Spectacle Falls bridge crossing

                                                                                     


The waterfalls are plentiful along this journey.
Some falls are small and hardly noticeable, others raging and sprouting what appears to be right out of the ground. But the one worth mentioning is Spectacle Falls. After crossing a tight squeeze of a waterfall, one which drenched us yet again, we reached the mother load of all falls. Luckily, this fall had a sturdy bridge for us to cross over. We were also fortunate because just beyond the falls, the trail had collapsed stopping horses from passing, turning around all those easy goers and giving us Spectacle Lake to ourselves!

Once past Spectacle Falls, we set out for our second set of switchbacks up a slippery slope of snow covered trail. Much time was spent here trying and remain on our feet as we climbed over snow to find more trail. Sometimes having to maneuver climbing over or ducking under large fallen trees, only to have to climb over snow again. This process went on until we got to the vista, which made everything worth the effort.  A panoramic view of everything that we had just done and more, plus a spectacle of a lake patiently waiting for our arrival below!

Snow covered trail can lead to serious injury.

Snow covered trail with tree hopping. Holy beeep!

A glimpse into some of the payoff...

After a short stop on the vista we headed down to the lake, stopping first at the small lake for a snack and some much needed leisure. Shaun took a hand at fishing while I pondered over some Robert Frost poetry. Then we went on about exploring the area. We decided to set up camp pretty much right at the center of the inland allowing us access to both sides of the horseshoe style lake that is a spectacle indeed. One side giving us an awesome beach access to the water, the other showing us the awesomeness of nature with all it's raging waterfalls, crystal clear water, and enormous rock mountains for a backdrop.

Spectacle Lake from the vista

The area in early summer is bogged down by mosquito's, especially where there is stagnant snow runoff. Between the two of us, we brought enough spray to fight off the little demons while we set up camp and prepared our meals. Bringing anything less then 95% deet repellent, regardless of it's harm, will be harmful in contrast with the constant swarming, bites and itching you will face. Unless you are bagged in a net from head to toe, without deet, you will surely be miserable. Bring light long sleeve clothing and spray away! It's the only way, TRUST ME! 

Spectacle Lake from camp

                                           

Fried Spam & Mashed Potatoes for dinner

Cooking in the back country can be worrisome for those just getting started. Additionally, the first thing picked up seems to be some sort of Top Romen. Although Top Romen is good to have in your bag, it will not give you the fuel that you need to replenish your energy and rebuild muscle. Instead, think about protein, carbs and hydration. Pack based on those supplies and what you like to eat and drink at home. For me, there is nothing like eating an awesome tasting dinner out in the back country. I carry extra food weight because I like food, and I want it to taste good, even in the back country. For dinner I had fried spam and mashed potatoes along with hot rum cider. I sat next to wildflowers and watched the sun set on the rocks as I ate and laughed with Shaun about our adventure and my "turkey" spotting. Which, as it turns out, clearly was not a turkey at all. Not even close.

 By the time dinner was done and dishes had been washed, the sun was starting to duck behind the ridge. Based on the warmth of the night before, we decided to leave the rain fly off of the tent so we could star gaze. But after a days hike like the one we had and full bellies, we were asleep by the second star sighting. However, we both woke up on separate occasions and took a good look at the blanket of stars and moon that had covered us that night. The temperature was perfect, neither hot nor cold. The next morning I woke to the singing of about 50 yellow bellied birds hanging out in our camp sorting through our stuff. They all gathered and flew across the lake when they spotted me reaching for my camera. It was the perfect start to a brand new day. Unfortunately, the mosquito's were also there, waiting ever patiently for us to leave the tent. F'ers!

We packed up camp and started the long trek back to the civilization. Backtracking through everything we had done the day before. Taking time to check out the little things that we had passed up or missed on the way up. We decided to take an alternate route back to the car instead of the continuing on with the Cooper River Trail. As  it turns out, the trail is for mountain bikers as they are not allowed inside the wilderness boundary. The alternate route is at the boundary line and makes for some awesome riding if you are into that sort of thing! On the map this trail is marked in back and is labeled Pete Lake Trail. Don't get confused by this while hiking, your car is parked along the Cooper River Trail. I give this trek an A. And plan to go back again at some point.

Shaun, my comrade, on the vista of Spectacle Lake Trail