Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Senior Member Buenos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Ellensburg, WA
    Hammock
    WL Snipe
    Tarp
    HG4seasonCFw/doors
    Insulation
    Hammock gear UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    375

    Merritt and Lost Lakes, Cascades, WA state

    My wife of 14 years, Michelle made her 3rd ever camping trip with me. She's a ground dweller, having tried a few gathered end and bridge hammocks in the from yard and on one winter overnight hang, she prefers her air mattress and one man tent. I got to swing in the trees next to her, and that made me happy.

    We spent the night at Merritt lake after starting late and arriving at the trail head at 5pm. We set up camp in the twilight before dark and ate dinner in the dark. We woke in the frost covered morning and made our way to Lost Lake. In the past there was a fisherman's trail that cuts down to Lost Lake, but this past winter was hard on that trail, and now it's covered with fallen trees. It made for a challenging 1500 foot drop into the lake but the trip was with it! We spend 3-4 hours exploring the shoreline and catching fish. I'm getting the feel for fishing with the Tenkara rod and am finding it a good alternative to Light weight spinning tackle. I landed 3 nice cut throat trout on a black beetle floating fly. It was awesome to see how eager these fish were to gobble up that fly! I am able to catch as many fish as whom ever I'm with, so I figure it'll become my standard gear when traveling to mountain lakes. I can carry a Altoids full of flies and the rod for 1/4 of the weight of the spinning tackle.

    I slept warm and comfortable at 32 or so degrees in my WB Traveller, Hammock Gear 3 season Phenix and 3 season Burrow. I did bring a a 2QzQ under quilt protector, but didn't deploy it. Great night noises, like owls and a bugling elk. I'm really digging the Hammock Gear Cuben Fiber 4 Season Tarp with Doors. I'm gonna use that this winter and see how it goes. I'm digging the "see throughidness".

    Anyway, here the video.

    Last edited by Buenos; 11-06-2011 at 09:55.
    Jose Diaz

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Hammock
    Hennesy
    Tarp
    various
    Insulation
    pads, foam
    Posts
    4,687
    Images
    17
    nice! Thanks for sharing!

  3. #3
    Senior Member KSC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Middle of Montana
    Hammock
    SLD SL, WBBB XLC, TTTG
    Tarp
    Superfly
    Insulation
    AHE, HG
    Suspension
    Various
    Posts
    391
    Great video. That is beautiful country you were hiking in. I need to make it up there someday.

  4. #4
    Senior Member rip waverly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    corvallis, oregon
    Hammock
    kbwaddy
    Tarp
    valesko
    Insulation
    ahurst
    Suspension
    dutch
    Posts
    1,623
    Beautiful . Thanks for the views...of the tarp
    "Jeff-Becking"

    DOWNTOWN BROWN!!!!

  5. #5
    Senior Member Buenos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Ellensburg, WA
    Hammock
    WL Snipe
    Tarp
    HG4seasonCFw/doors
    Insulation
    Hammock gear UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    375
    Quote Originally Posted by nothermark View Post
    nice! Thanks for sharing!
    Glad to Share. I love where I live, and proud to show it off.

    Quote Originally Posted by KSC View Post
    Great video. That is beautiful country you were hiking in. I need to make it up there someday.
    You're always welcome. if ever you're in my neighborhood, feel free to darken my doorstep, and we'll find some woods to raid!

    Quote Originally Posted by rip waverly View Post
    Beautiful . Thanks for the views...of the tarp
    That is one cool tarp. I find myself staring at it often. I never get tired of that view.
    Jose Diaz

  6. #6
    Senior Member mbiraman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    West Kootenays,BC,Canada
    Hammock
    Warbonnet BB DL 1.1 & Lite Owl
    Tarp
    Black MacCat Del.
    Insulation
    Yeti 3,4 & HRQ/HGB
    Suspension
    webbing/whoopie
    Posts
    4,244
    Images
    7
    its good fortune when you get to live near nature. Looks like a nice area.

    bill
    " The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it."

    “The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away.” ~Wayne Dyer

    www.birchsidecustomwoodwork.com

  7. #7
    Senior Member mugs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Maple Valley, WA
    Hammock
    Danger Bird
    Tarp
    Varies with season
    Insulation
    UGQ Everything
    Suspension
    Webbing Suspension
    Posts
    776
    So cool man. Gets me excited to get out that way again. Also to be able to visit with you both this winter. Looks like you had a great time.

    I need to vamp up my fishing gear as well...always wanted to be able to catch those mountain fish....they taste better.
    I miss my 4.8Lb base weight as a ground dweller...But I sure DON'T MISS the ground.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Washington State
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Blackbird 1.0dbl
    Tarp
    Zpack Cuben w/door
    Insulation
    Incubator
    Suspension
    The Force
    Posts
    405
    Has the winter hang date been set yet?
    Bat
    Beginning my NOBO trip on the AT on 2/28/12.

  9. #9
    Senior Member MuseJr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Alpine, UT
    Hammock
    WBBB
    Tarp
    AHE Hard Rock
    Insulation
    Te-Wa Freeze
    Suspension
    Dynaglide slings
    Posts
    731
    Thanks for sharing your area. That looks like a place worth visiting. I might have to expand my circle a little for next years trips.
    "I'm a connoisseur of BACON." - Anyways - 6/9/13

  10. #10
    Senior Member Buenos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Ellensburg, WA
    Hammock
    WL Snipe
    Tarp
    HG4seasonCFw/doors
    Insulation
    Hammock gear UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    375
    Quote Originally Posted by mbiraman View Post
    its good fortune when you get to live near nature. Looks like a nice area.

    bill
    I sometimes feel like the luckiest guy in the world, with the Cascades in my back yard.

    Quote Originally Posted by mugs View Post
    So cool man. Gets me excited to get out that way again. Also to be able to visit with you both this winter. Looks like you had a great time.

    I need to vamp up my fishing gear as well...always wanted to be able to catch those mountain fish....they taste better.
    With your light weight goals, the Tenkara system of fishing makes a lot of sense. I am pleasantly surprised how well it woks. Mountain trout are a tasty bunch!

    Quote Originally Posted by Bat View Post
    Has the winter hang date been set yet?
    First weekend of February. Here's the planning thread. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with you and hearing about your adventures over the past year. Bring the neck knife, and I'll sharpen it up for you.

    Quote Originally Posted by MuseJr View Post
    Thanks for sharing your area. That looks like a place worth visiting. I might have to expand my circle a little for next years trips.
    The Northern Cascades are considered some of the most scenic on the PCT. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness area is some of my most favorite wilderness haunts.
    Jose Diaz

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Washington Cascades Alpine Lakes Wilderness
      By Mumbles in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 09-04-2014, 18:04
    2. VA - Twin Lakes State Park
      By dkurfiss in forum Southeast
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 06-27-2014, 12:47
    3. Merritt/Lost Lake late summer hike and hang
      By Buenos in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 09-13-2012, 04:40
    4. Grace Lakes - Alpine Lakes Wilderness- WA State
      By Seracer in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 08-09-2012, 09:26
    5. Lost maples state park July 10
      By Brute1100 in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 07-10-2012, 11:22

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •