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Crescent Lake, 10 October, 2020

This was elk hunting season when Cache Hiker events are not scheduled to avoid conflicts with big game hunters.  However, several "regular" Cache Hikers donned "hunter orange" clothing for safety and joined Dave W. on a trip to explore a route to Crescent Lake.

We hiked a seldom-used trail from the Franklin Basin road in order to bypass much of the high-clearance road that runs up Steep Hollow, then followed the road for about a mile.  From the road, we followed a reasonably well-used path to the north until it diverged from the planned route.  Upon reaching the south shore, Dave P. circled around the west side of the lake, the rest went around the east side and everyone met up for a leisurely lunch on the north shore. 

Beavers have raised the level of Crescent Lake with a long, low dam on the north side.  There is an old beaver lodge in the lake but recently cut trees and fresh mud on the dam show the beavers are still active. 

After lunch, Teresa and Kris explored a path that led to the north, then rejoined the rest of the hikers as we more-or-less retraced our route back to the road.  Our return was uneventful until Deanna's dog Jasper had a porcupine encounter.  Fortunately our experienced hikers took quick and decisive action to immobilize the dog and pull out the quills (Laurel used the long-nosed pliers she carries just for a such an event).  
 
Trip Summary:
  • Participants:  Dave W., Jane, Dave P., Kathy, Susan, Teresa, Kris, Brent, Laurel, Deanna and Jasper (the dogTrip
  • Drove 26 miles from the Logan Ranger Station to the bottom of Steep Hollow (3.5 miles up the Franklin Basin Road)
  • Started hiking about 10:00, lunch at the lake 12:20 - 1:00, back at our vehicles by 2:30. 
  • Clear skies and pleasant temperatures
  • Hiked about 5.2 miles with 1200 feet of ascent/descent

Thanks to Dave W. for the narrative, photos and GPS data and Dave P. for photos.
hikers
Hiking south from Crescent Lake into Steep Hollow, through colorful aspen trees
Crescent Lake
Looking to the west over Crescent Lake
Crescent Lake
Looking southwest over Crescent Lake
Dam
A low beaver dam on the north side of the lake
Jasper
Removing porcupine quills from Jasper's mouth
map
Our GPS track shows about 5.2 miles and 1200 feet of ascent and descent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.