Trip to Wince Lake via Trail Creek
07/29/2026
View of one end of Wince Lake from the camp
This is likely my last-ever visit to this isolated,
beautiful little lake on the shoulder of Cathedral Ridge. I decided to
take life easy, and stay there overnight, rather than my original
plan to continue on over the ridge to Spinola Meadows. It was wonderful
— conditions were perfect, and nothing happened!
I don't regularly report on "off trail" locations.
The potential for damage is too great. But wait a second, this is
actually on trail — it was once a part of the PCT trail
system (yes THAT Pacific Crest Trail!). So how fragile is
it really? Though it was never easy, the one-mile side-trip, only four
miles from a major trailhead, should not present too much difficulty. But
now, there are complications from some major tree blow-downs. A shame.
In my day, I would have taken my crosscut and knocked these down, but
I am not exactly in my day.
See the site review page for more information
about the site and current conditions.
What's up with Icicle Canyon
07/13/2026
The USFS Web site has reported that roads in the Icicle River / Icicle
Creek area are
- Washed out beyond Eightmile Campground
- Closed beyond the Mountaineer Creek Bridge
- Closed beyond the Eightmile Lake trailhead
- Closed beyond the Rock Island bridge over Icicle Creek
Yes I know, those claims are contradictory. So, to be clear about this, I have
driven the roads, to see what is actually going on, and this is the true status
as of this time.
- The Icicle Road 7600 is closed about 150 yards
past the junction with spur road NF-615, because of "a washout." There is
limited parking near the gate. About 1.5 miles is easily passable on foot
to the Icicle Creek trailhead.
- Spur road NF-615 to the Trout/Jack trailhead is open.
- The main Icicle Road 7600 is open beyond Eightmile
campground. Campgrounds and trailheads there are open. Except for a few
rough washed spots and some typical washboard, this part of the road is better
than most.
- The Mountaineer Creek / Eightmile road 7601 is is
in ugly condition, very uncomfortable without 4WD / high clearance vehicle,
but barely passable all the way to the Lake Stuart trailhead.
- There are some really ugly potholes in the concrete
along the lower Icicle Road before Eightmile Camp. Go slow and treat them
with respect.