**Hike is subject to weather – please check this hike posting for changes or cancellation due to poor weather!

An easy relaxed hike around Stake Lake with lovely wildflowers, a gorgeous lake, and a side excursion to view the Basalt Bluff with it’s distinctive columnar jointing formations.  Please note:  this is a laid-back evening outing, on grassy double-tracks.  (Bring your Cell Phone/Cameras for photos!)

Meet at the Stake Lake Parking Lot at 6:00 pm.  We will hike around the west and south side of the lake (Cartwheel Trail) , head up Sidewinder Trail – Sitting Bull Trail – Heartbreak Trail to view the Basalt Bluff with it’s distinctive columnar jointing formations.  A note about the Basalt Bluff:  the small rocks at the base of the bluff are loose and tippy.  Please exercise caution and discretion if venturing out on them. Once we explore/examine a bit, we will return the way we came, to the Cartwheel Lake Loop and link with Little Joe and Ponderosa Trails to finish off back at the parking lot (Total distance:  just under 5 km).  There will be a possible “Tailgate Tea” (see who feels up to it and if the mosquitoes are around {!}  – Bring a thermos of your favorite tea, if you like).

 

From Wikipedia:

“Columnar jointing is a geological structure where sets of intersecting closely spaced fractures, referred to as joints, result in the formation of a regular array of polygonal prisms, or columns. Columnar jointing occurs in many types of igneous rocks and forms as the rock cools and contracts. Columnar jointing can occur in cooling lava flows and ashflow tuffs (ignimbrites), as well as in some shallow intrusions.

The columns can vary from 3 meters to a few centimeters in diameter, and can be as much as 30 meters tall. They are typically parallel and straight, but can also be curved and vary in diameter. Whereas an array of regular and straight columns is called a colonnade, an irregular array is termed an entablature. The number of sides of the individual columns can vary from 3 to 8, with 6 sides being the most common.”

Our objective is to get out and enjoy a bit of nature, see some great sights, take some photos, do a little hiking, and socialize!  We may spot moose, deer, owls, frogs, jumping fish, eagles, bears, and/or loons.

A maximum of 3 dogs are welcome to come along, but owners will be expected to have a leash handy, as a precaution.  **Please email the Hike Leader first if you wish to bring along a dog.

Recommend bringing bug spray, bug hat (you never know how bad the mozzies might be), poles (if you like to use them), bear spray, water, etc., and always – The Ten Essentials.  Please review the list of these hiking essentials on the Club website if you have not already done so.

There’s lots to see – let’s get outdoors!