Monday, September 27, 2010

Quite a bit warmer this morning. Largely due to the cloud cover that has had moved in over night. The uncertainty of how the weather would unfold this day? We resolved to keep close to home today & explore Winchell.

Looking at the map we noticed a small stream running out of Tremble lake emptying into Winchells' southern shore. It took a little bushwacking but after geetting through the initial scrub & cedar trees it was pretty easy going for not having a trail. There was a small cascading waterfall here. This was quite a pleasant surprise. As we hadn't heard anything of this in our pre-trip planning. A really cool spot.
The next spot we headed for we had heard about. The cliffs on the south shore just across from our site. We had heard there was a trail leading up to the top. We had some difficulty finding this trail. There were a few different trails heading up just east of the cliffs. One that looked like it was made by the beaver living nearby. These trails just sort of fade away after 50 yards or so. Essentially we bushwacked our way to the top. We found out on our way down where the trail was. There were some large cedars down aross thr trail. Which make it very easy to lose the trail coming from the bottom. Basically what I'd tell anyone looking for this trail. Find one of the trails head straight up for about 50 yards then veer right (west) at about a 45 degree angle & work your way to the top. Even on the trail, which is barely discernable, it's going to be a tough climb.
As expected. Once topside we were afforded breathtaking views in 3 diretions. We even got a beautiful birdseye view of the peninsula our site was located on.
As we headed back down trying to find a trail. I stumbled upon, what I felt was, quite the find. An almost entirely intact moose shed! Only one of the tines was chewed away with only minimal marks on the rest. For having been shed 8-9 months prior. I felt it was still in pretty good shape. In keeeping with the principals set forth by the forest service. I LEFT NO TRACE that it was ever there:-)
Windy conditions suggested a weather change was imminent. We head back to camp. We spend the rest of the day shore fishing (with no luck) & playing cribbage. Sporadic rain finally dissipated by evening. And we were able to have a nice fire our last night on Winchell.
Winchell Lake