On a mid-August day, I started a hike on the Ross Moore Forest Service Road, and hiked up into the hills, using the Stake Lake Trails, on the southeast side near Lac le Jeune.    I climbed up on grassy double tracks onto the west flank of Lookout Hill.     All was quiet in the area.    I headed to an unmarked overgrown side trail/route which winds up through the forest.

The faint double track trail works its way up through lodgepole pine to get around the cliffs of Lookout Hill.

The trail comes out to a lookout that the ski club calls the Vista Trail.    Above the cliffs is a grassy, open hilltop with wide views south and west.    Lac le Jeune lies southwest with Ridge Mountain directly south.    This is a fine lookout all year round.    We have mountain biked, run, hiked, cross country skied, and snowshoed to this spot in every season.

There are a number of trails and routes to go up to and down from the Lookout.    I had intended to go down a snowshoe trail, but instead started down a game trail which disappeared in a cutblock/plantation area.    It is a regular occurrence for me to hike off-trail, and it can be fun to explore areas where no one else ventures.     I worked my way down to one of the double track ski trails.   This end of the Stake Lake Trails has a number of logged areas that have been replanted.    Trails wind through the forest and there are many loop route possibilities.

I hiked back down one of the trails to the start, finishing another day of exploration, nature observation,  and quiet time, one of several that week.

A few additional images are shared here.   Click an image for a lightbox view and an id/caption.

douglas firs on the benchland

marsh on the northeast end of Lac le Jeune

great spangled fritillary on the trail

aspen fleabane

the route

on a shoulder of Lookout Hill

pink-edged sulphur