Sheep Lake
August 5, 2007
As I had gotten the signup sheet posted rather late, Marianne Camp and I where the only ones on this trip. As John Pegg had graciously left his can of pepper spray for us, we felt that two cautious people would be enough. And, as usual for hikes in this area, it did not disappoint. The trailhead was only about 12 miles via road from camp. After crossing Sheep Creek and a couple of irrigation flumes, the trail headed up the Sheep Creek valley, through impressive rock formations, and into the usual mix of evergreen forests and open meadows. Marianne shouted her loudest to keep the bears away, having learned the call well from the Mulivans. Soon Coffin Mountain stood out high above us. After 6½ miles we reached Sheep Lake nestled in its cirque. It appears that an attempt was made to raise the level of the lake, but the 10 ft. high dam there is porous—the water just flows right through it. We had lunch overlooking the lake, but cut our visit short as it was rather cool, and the usual early afternoon thundershower was blowing in. Had it been warm, a dip in the lake would have been inviting. — Wayne Deeter, leader.
“Looks like grizzly country.” The trail to Sheep Lake
Looking back down the Sheep Creek valley from about a mile below the lake
Sheep Lake
Beggar by the lake
Leaky dam
Coffin Mountain
Hidden falls just off the Sheep Creek Trail
Grouse
photos by Wayne Deeter