Lodgepole Hill
In winter I either hike in the valley or snowshoe in the high country. One of the areas that offers many routes choices is Lodgepole Lake. I drive to the end of the road at the Rec Site and then head out on one of the many route possibilities, sometimes exploring new routes. On a mild winter day, I went through the campground on an established trail, then followed the signed Lake Trail. At the end of the lake, I linked up to an upper track, then traversed over to a double track which wound up to the top of the 5000+ ft. hill above Lodgepole Lake.
Some navigation is required for this route, but the route was stomped in for future snowshoers.
When I snowshoe it is mostly trees and snow with an occasional pond, glade, or cutblock. the trail around the lake provides a nice route through the forest.
The area above the lake has been logged and replanted. Since the new trees are still small, there are wide views in 3 directions.
In the northeast, snow-covered mountain tops were standing in the sun.
I climbed the hill, having to break trail on wind-drifted sections, then returned back down, taking some short cuts on open slopes.
I finished this snowshoe outing by rounding the east end of the lake and then across the lake to the parking area, finishing another good day of snowshoeing in the high forest.