Sumas Summit

May 6 - Stats: 17.81 km / 1104m gain / 947m high / 6 hours MT

I had done this hike in February. Now the lake was no longer frozen and the forest had filled out with scented budding and blooming foliage. Anne O'Leary led this hike. It was to be her last with us for a while as she's moving to Victoria by the week's end. She will be sorely missed.

pic 1) A woodpecker's work. 2) The fern patch.

When we got to the FSR crossing, we turned left and then left again at the fork in the road, to get to this viewpoint of the Fraser River & Mission. It's not even a 10 minute walk from the trail.

Then back and past the trail just a bit to the signed junction. A lot more light hits this section of forest since they clear-cut the area beside it a few years ago.

The steep grade of the trail levelled off somewhat by this gully that held many fallen trees.

Crossing a board walk at the end of the gully.

I've seen stumps uprooted, but never this phenomenon where a large piece of ground lifts up. Odd.

The northern viewpoint of Dewdney & Nicomen Mtns.

Crossing Chadsey Creek.

About 15 minutes from the creek crossing to the lake.

Chadsey Lake with it's little island to the right.

I guess they got reception here. The plan was to meet up with Ingrid at the lake but she wasn't there. She'd parked higher up on the road and gone on ahead of us, estimating that we'd catch up.

Continuing on along the left side of the lake.

Numerous board-walks, bog and roots.

I love this section of old-growth cedars.

After the cedars, the trail starts to switchback up a steep slope. This is a flat area nearing the summit.

Almost there.

Balsam Fir trees near the summit.

At the summit, looking at the Cheam Range on the horizon. We didn't linger long because the best was yet to come.

We had to drop down about 20m to get to the better viewpoint.

North to south.

The Fraser River, Chilliwack & Vedder Canal.

North to south we could see Robie Reid, Judge Howay, Slollicum, the Cheam Range + Mt. Baker.

The gang excluding Jan & John: me, Lorenz, Gary, Diane, Denise, John, Terry, Irene, Anne + Ingrid. Front right are: Bridgette & Don who did not hike with our group but joined us for lunch.

Heading back.

Back down at the cedars by the lake.

Crossing Chadsey Creek again.

Started on the left end.

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