Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Photo & Video => Topic started by: Wea300mag on September 02, 2008, 09:13:42 PM

Title: Thorton Lake Hiking Trip
Post by: Wea300mag on September 02, 2008, 09:13:42 PM: Went on a hike today to the Thorton Lakes in eastern Skagit County. It was 11 miles round trip and about a 2800' elevation gain on the trip in. Didn't see any critters, the berry crop up there was not only still green but almost nonexistent, normally there are a few bears in the area but not this year, nothing to eat.

This is a waterfall on the way in:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_1.jpg)

Thornton Creek log crossing:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_1a.jpg)

View across Skagit Valley on the way up:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_2.jpg)

A good sign, means I'm almost there:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_3.jpg)

A view of Trapper Peak:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_4.jpg)

Lower Thornton Lake:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_5.jpg)

Middle Thorton Lake:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_6.jpg)

Mount Triumph in the very background:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_7.jpg)

The hiker playing with his camera timer:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_8.jpg)

View across Skagit Valley from the top:

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10352/hike_9.jpg)
Title: Re: Thorton Lake Hiking Trip
Post by: Jackjr on September 02, 2008, 09:23:26 PM: Sweet pics. Look like some cool country for sure
Title: Re: Thorton Lake Hiking Trip
Post by: ShirtGuy77 on September 02, 2008, 09:44:03 PM: Very Nice....Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Thorton Lake Hiking Trip
Post by: Bscman on September 02, 2008, 09:53:29 PM: Looks like you picked a great time to head up there.

If you're into fishing, the lower lake holds a reasonable population of trout (more so than the others).
Title: Re: Thorton Lake Hiking Trip
Post by: Wea300mag on September 02, 2008, 10:24:19 PM: Quote from: Bscman on September 02, 2008, 09:53:29 PM
Looks like you picked a great time to head up there.

If you're into fishing, the lower lake holds a reasonable population of trout (more so than the others).

Thanks Bscman, I fished the lower lake last year but I am not into packing them out. Didn't bring the fishing pole this year. If I'm on an overnight trip I like to catch a couple to eat. I was mainly wanting to get some fresh air and exercise.
Title: Re: Thorton Lake Hiking Trip
Post by: Bscman on September 03, 2008, 08:38:45 AM: I know what you mean.
I'm pretty much C&R only at high lakes, though. Since they're frozen over half of the year, and the food supply is quite limited for them, it takes them a VERY long time to get large. Most of what you catch is to small to pack out!

For a natural/wild born trout in a typical high lake, it takes up to 6 years to reach 10" in length!