Castle Lake

[Fastass350]

Thinking of a hike into Castle Lake in the next Month or so, any suggestions on what to take down with me, and what to use?  It's been probably twenty years since I fished for anything but salmon or bottom fish.  Is it best to park at the start of the tore up road and hike the road down where you can, then bail over the hill, or is there a more direct route?  I've spent a lot of time up there, and am pretty familiar with it, but have never gone to the lake.

Thanks for any info.

Chris

[heavy hauler]

i may be heading there in a week or so .  i will try to keep you updated

[Fastass350]

Thanks, I might even run up this weekend, not to fish but to check out the snow conditions, if I do I'll let you know how the road is.

[Navyhunter]

The best way we've done it was to bail off up on top of the ridge (not sure of the road #) and head straight down.  Only took us 45 minutes to get down....2 hours to get out that way though.  Haven't been up there in about 15 years, I'm sure it's a little grown up now.  Mind taking a few pictures if you get the chance? 

[Fastass350]

I will defenitely, just got a new camera for the bday, so it'll be with me.  I'll post pics, hopefully of some fish too 

[Fastass350]

Thinking of heading down this Saturday, anyone else gonna be up there?  I'll be in my blue/silver mid 80's Ford Diesel on 38's on channel 15 if anyones in the area.

Chris

[Fastass350]

So I finally made it to the lake on Saturday.  Here's a short bit of a long story, with some pictures if I can get them to load.

I started out pretty slow on Saturday, after climbing and trimming trees all day on Friday, I was pretty worn out.  Finally made it to Toutle about 900, after stopping at the Napa in Castle Rock for some spare wheel bearings, races and a seal (one side felt a little warmer than usual.)  I figured I'd better be prepared  to change them out in the woods.  Hit the gravel road and aired the tires down (to smooth out the ride) and headed up to the mainline.  I drove around for a bit, heading to the far East end, trying to get motivated to put the pack on (25lbs) and break over the hill.  Finally I parked the truck and got saddled up, left the road at 1115.  I chose what I thought was the best route, being the quickest but maybe steep.  It sucked, too much brush, had to push my way through a lot, and having the pack on made it hard, they always seem to catch on stuff. 
About 1230 I hit the lake.  It was beautiful, a little breeze had picked up, barely a cloud to be seen, crystal clear water, and lots of log debris to fish off of and around.  I walked out on a couple logs, just looking around.  The fish were jumping, and I could see them swimming around.  So, I grabbed my gear and threw it out, first cast I had one on, smaller one so I sent him back.  After fishing about an hour and fifteen, I had probably caught a dozen at least.  Few nicer sized, 12-14" ones.  Sadly I could only keep one  .  I got things packed up and headed along the lake to the West, to a clearer spot to hike up.  Somewhere along the line the dog chased up a grouse setting on her eggs, so it was cool to see the nest.  Headed straight up the ridge though the clearest paths I could find til I hit an old road bed that headed to the East, towards where I parked.  I followed it, thankfully crossing a small stream so I could refill my water bottle, and let the dog drink/cool off, both were much needed.  This straight up the hill hike had kicked my already tired ass.  We reached the top about a hundred yards from where I had parked, and quickly made the way to the pickup (or the cooler with ice cold beer in it)
I hung around there for a while, taking in the view of the lake, and my seemingly intelligent choice of paths for the hike, and chatted with a passerby.  Got everything put away and headed down the road, finally remembering my wheel bearing issue, so I pulled off on a side road and tore the right front wheel apart, packing the bearings for the trip home.  Headed down the hill, aired back up, and hammered down for home. I was seriously worn out, but very glad I made the trip.  Can't wait to get back in there and do it again.  Saw lots of elk sign, plenty of it fresh, and smelled them a time or two when the wind would blow right.  Saw one coyote on the way down, and one grouse on the way out.  Surprisingly that was it for game.

Chris

[Fastass350]

 

[Fastass350]

I can't get the pictures I want to go through, so these will have to do.

[Jason]

nice pics!!  sounds like you had a great time, I need to make it up there this summer.

[Fastass350]

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