Walloper and Stake

In recent years I have been doing a paddle and hike combination, usually paddling first to avoid windy conditions, then securing the boat followed by a hike. Some spots are excellent for doing that with a good boat launch and parking area but also good hiking trails. These spots include Stake Lake, McConnell Lake, Lodgepole Lake, Lac le Jeune, Lac du Bois, Isobel Lake, Heffley Lake, Pat Lake, Tunkwa and Leighton Lakes, Monck Park, Roche Lakes, McGillivray Lake, and others where we can walk backroads, or drive to a nearby trailhead. On a spring day with some wind and possibly rain forecast, I drove to Walloper Lake and launched my kayak early in the morning. for most of the paddle, I was in calm conditions, but the wind picked up out of the southwest near the end. I loaded my kayak and secured it and drove back to Stake Lake. I went on a hike on the trails with eclectic choices along the way, and each time I do a paddle – hike combo, I try to pick a different route to hike. On this day, it was Cartwheel, Ponderosa, Little Joe, and Giant Firs. A few images are shared here. Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.