2 edits | [Hiking] Widgeon Creek Spring is here, and the 2007 hiking season is in full swing! To warm our out-of-shape bodies up we re-did a hike from last year, Widgeon Falls. It has the advantage of being almost at sea level, and hence you don't risk getting caught by a cold snap or lingering snow.
Here's the thread I posted last year - I'd like to think I made some progress, but I'll let you be the judge: »Hiking, round 2 . The one downside is that last weekend I forgot my ND filter, so no silky smooth running water this time.
On to the hike. It starts off with a paddle across the Pitt River, and into the pristine, shallow waters of Widgeon slough:
NIKON D200
18mm 1/100th F11 ISO100
Some 20 minutes into it, we got the company of this bugger. The first pass was amusing. Then he came round one more time. An hour and a half later, I was ready for a bazooka.
NIKON D200
200mm 1/640th F8 ISO160
One and a half hours of paddling take you to a campsite. You leave your canoe there and proceed on foot.
NIKON D200
18mm 1/125th F11 ISO100
A... yellow flower?
NIKON D200
90mm 1/60th F11 ISO100
Last year the trail was closed and we had to reach the falls through a logging road. This year half of the lower trail was restored. Here's what it looks like:
NIKON D200
42mm 1/160th F5.6 ISO1000
The trail hugs Widgeon Creek and its emerald green waters:
NIKON D200
18mm 1/20th F8 ISO100
After a little over one hour you reach the lower falls:
NIKON D200
12mm 1/30th F22 ISO100
The more spectacular upper falls lie just a few minutes further up.
NIKON D200
18mm 1/100th F11 ISO100
From here you can enjoy several nice views:
NIKON D200
14mm 1/80th F11 ISO100
NIKON D200
12mm 1/100th -1ev F11 ISO100
NIKON D200
18mm 1/60th F13 ISO100
NIKON D200
18mm 1/200th -0.6ev F11 ISO100
Time to go back. We run into several of these "nursery" stumps, where a young tree grows on top of the stump of a felled giant.
NIKON D200
26mm 1/40th F4.5 ISO640
A view from our canoe during the return paddle. This mountain is called Golden Ears, and it is on my lists of hikes for late in the season.
NIKON D200
44mm 1/80th F11 ISO100
A lone kayaker crossing the Pitt River on his way back to the boat launch.
NIKON D200
130mm 1/125th F9 ISO100
If you want to see the geography of the place in minute detail I have created this interactive Google Map where you can see the route superimposed on a satellite photo with placemarks indicating where the pictures were taken. Or you can download the following attachment and open it in Google Earth.
 widgeon.zip 2291 bytes
(widgeon.kml)
Thanks for looking!
--
My photo galleries |
|
 CatmanCoasting On Lifes HighwayPremium
join:2003-03-13
Pineville, WV | Awesome!!!
What I wouldnt give to live there, but im settled here.
The map was great, it gives one a better idea of where and what. |
|
BigfootPremium
join:2005-07-05
Robbinsville, NC | an excellent series, thanks for sharing it with us |
|
 B52GUNRKM 7D love and D3 NirvanaPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-06
Vallejo, CA | reply to Mauricio9
Thanks for taking us with you  . |
|
|
|
 richdelbGo Hawks GoPremium
join:2003-01-22
Algonquin, IL | reply to Mauricio9
Excellent shots and the map really brings it all together. Very cool !! |
|
noahnottPremium
join:2006-11-10
Wenatchee, WA | reply to Mauricio9
some nice pics...the first one caught my eye b/c the mountains in the back look strikingly similar to the ones here....just that i was near the road, and you werent. >_> |
|
 TJ19971Blues fan with a cameraPremium
join:2003-10-11
Sioux Falls, SD | reply to Mauricio9
Very cool, thanks for sharing, looks like a great place for a hike.
--
Don't bother me. I'm living happily ever after. |
|
 stev32kPremium
join:2000-04-27
Mobile, AL
kudos:1 | reply to Mauricio9
Great shots, thanks for posting them. |
|
 jvmorrisI Am The Man Who Was Not There.Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-03
Reston, VA | reply to Mauricio9
Man, I really like this!
As always, the photos are excellent, but it's the innovative linkage to the Google Earth maps that I especially love.
I've been thinking about trying something like this myself and you've just provided a sterling example of how it can be done.
I didn't take my GPS unit to the UK last autumn, but it's definitely going this time! There are a lot of walkers (ramblers, sometimes called) over there who take some incredible photos along the various trails and pathways and even publish them on websites, but this takes it all to the next level.
--
Regards,
Joseph V. Morris |
|
 jaykaykay4 Ever YoungPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-13
Scottsdale, AZ
kudos:19
 ·Speakeasy
| reply to Mauricio9
Wow! What a wonderfully serene hike this was. The water sounded wonderful as it slip slided its way amongst the rocks and the air smelled really fresh and clean. That Google mapping was lots of fun too. What a great time I had and I am not even tired.
Once again, thank you for taking me on your trek. it's the only way for me to do such things and going along with you is a delight. |
|
| reply to Mauricio9
I haven't been there yet Mauricio. Now I've got to go!
Pitt lake and some of its legends fascinate me. I've been all through the mountains north of here from the coast to the Coquihalla but have very limited travels in the Pitt area. You're terrific pictures just caused a calendar shuffle. Thanks!
--
You're jealous because the voices only talk to me.
|
|
| reply to Mauricio9
BTW - the yellow flower is known locally as a Skunk Cabbage colourful but has the odour of a skunk. When Flowering its usually a good indicator of Spring at the various elevations and micro climates we encounter in the mountains.
--
You're jealous because the voices only talk to me.
|
|
| Thanks for the explanation! Good thing that I didn't think of smelling it...
--
My photo galleries |
|
| reply to Mauricio9
You my friend take some damn great pictures. Thank you so much for this. |
|
| reply to Mauricio9
Well, I figured out a few more tricks in Google Earth and created an animated tour of this hike. To view it, open the attached file in Google Earth. Go to preferences and select the "Touring tab." Increase the "Tour pause" setting to 8 seconds and check the "Show ballon when tour is paused" box. Then select the "Widgeon Creek" folder that appears in your "Places" panel, press play and enjoy!
--
My photo galleries |
|
 kaybertossLayne Staley 1967-2002
join:2000-10-28
Vancouver BC
1 edit | I’ve done that trek as well. Pitt Lake is one of my favorite places to go. Spent many years staying at a friends cabin half way up on Pitt Lake. It’s one Lake you have to give lots of respect to as it’s very dangerous. Being a very cold tidal lake combined with strong winds can spell disaster.
However, widgeon is a fairly safe area it’s just crossing from Grant’s Narrows across to Widgeon that can get a little rough in an canoe.
Nice job Mauricio.
OT - I don’t mean to spam but if anyone is interested in more of the Pitt Lake area check out this lodge run by my relatives for the pictures of the area.
»www.pittriverlodge.com/ |
|
