Being Adventurous in the Cascades

As soon as our group crossed the gravel parking lot for the start of Ashland Lakes trail we noticed the sign nailed to the bulletin board with the words “Road Closed” in big red letters. The report was that a number of pedestrian bridges between Lower Ashland Lake and Twin Falls Lake, which was our destination, were at various stages of breaking, with a main artery is completely collapsed. It went on to inform hikers would be able to reach two Ashland Lakes, but go further, it was not possible, and certainly not advisable. Considering that just happened over an hour to get there from Seattle, plus the time it took to get our hiking gear and packs in order before leaving the car, we were not interested in simply turn around and will find another way elsewhere. Of course there were others to explore, but choosing the walk is something that Washingtonians take more seriously. It is reviewing several books and excursions narrowing down several times until one is left with two or three to be voted by the group. Change your game plan at the last moment does not really sit well with us, so we spent a few minutes contemplating what to do. We all conditions encountered in rough road and some bridges less structurally sound before, and knew that the road had to take reports all hikers in mind when being shipped, so maybe it was not as bad as sign made it seem, maybe it was just a precaution to prevent newcomers from getting hurt. We all agreed that we could hike in and assess the conditions and judge for ourselves if we thought we could move forward. To be honest, I do not think any of us had any doubt find a way to reach our chosen goal.The decision to continue proven to be well worth it as it turned out to be a walk very well. The trail actually starts about a mile from the parking area where the wooden sign for Bald Mountain Road. The rating is steadily rising through old-growth forests of the mile that is coming or so before finding the Beaver Lake, the first and smallest of the four lakes that are in this walk. There is a pleasant walk round the water timber, so it is definitely worth watching, as it is only a small detour, but refreshing. Our four-legged friend really made the decision for us because even as we realize the lake what they were hearing the splash of water hit. About 15 minutes later to find game and we were ready to move forward.

Continuing along, we came to Upper Ashland Lake about a mile and a half later. The road runs alongside and then diverted through the lake and ends on the other side toward Lower Lake Ashland, a mile farther. In both cases, breaks down each game for the dog in the water, which at this point did not seem very unattractive in view of the sweating we were all working up. If we had been planning to camp anywhere along the way, this would be ideal.

This was the point that the sign at the trailhead, said the return of the cases, but were doing very well and feel good, and all agreed to move forward. This was also the point at which pay more attention to my hiking book, or at least remember to take with me, would have been good. Signs indicating the way to Twin Falls Lake (the road we were to change from Ashland Lakes Road to Twin Falls Lake trail at this time) were not as clear as it could have been, and proceeded a little uncertain that we were in right direction. When the track began to fall, and continued for a long time, I met more than a few questions of my colleagues about my sense of direction. It’s a bit of nature trails in the mountains that you skeptical of any down time ends on the way to your destination. When I returned the car after I checked my book and of course I said after Low Ashland trail changes names and drops 700 feet. Lesson learned: take note of such drastic changes in the increase of travel in the future and save a lot of unnecessary back.

Despite our doubts about our present IT Certification course, at one point we were assured of our decision when we heard the sound of the waterfall. Not long after, we began to find broken bridges, which mostly consisted of some boards missing here and there, and do not pose a big problem, because we could go around it. Then we came to the crossing that collapsed completely, and we see why the rangers are considered too dangerous to cross. It was a very narrow passage that had sunk in right in the deadlock, so from either end pointing downwards at an angle of 60 degrees. The road from both ends was along a ridge cut into the slope of the slope was too steep for everyone. There was no other way to get to the lake though, and our only option was to make our way carefully through. Cable railings were still attached so they were able to shake our way to the center and up the other tables, using any screws or parts that protrude from the timber as supports when available, and the rope as a handrail ourselves up. We were worried about the dog, and planned to push and pull it as a team, but picked up momentum and screwed to one side to the other, get over the cycle faster than any of us. Once safely on the other hand, we could tell by the sound of water is approaching.

After turning a few corners, we reached an intact wooden pedestrian bridge with a sign on the other side shows us right into Twin Falls Lake. The lake is visible almost immediately, but the biggest thrill is when you reach the opening of the trees and see the double waterfall that flows out of the vertical rock face in the water in front of you. It’s a beautiful sight satisfactorily, and there was even a huge tree trunk lying across the shore in the water for us to sit and take it all in. It was a truly amazing and a great final destination of our trip. He was even more special, because they were the only ones there, and it was as if the whole place was there to this day just for us. We opened our beers to celebrate and dried meat and snapped our pictures, and the dog, of course, was to side and deserved swim.