Edds lake 6-20/21-04

“Did you go over Bubmblebee Pass? Trail to the lake now? Stay at the outlet? (best campsite)^^^^The fish in that lake are tempermental. You can fish, say, an evening, and swear no fish are in the lake. The next morning you can catch more than one–not necessarily hot fishing, but can be OK. No particular time for best fishing. Best time is when they are in mood to feed.^^^^Relocation of Crest trail had bad impact on Edd's. Used to be NO trail of any kind. Within 5 years after trail was put in, was a trail from saddle above Joe down to lake. Last time I was there, still no trail from Bumblebee Pass down to lake. – mossback”

“Before PCT, one had three options:^^1 Go past Red Mtn cross country to cliff above Alaska, cross dangerous, cliffy spot, then up through Bumblebee pass to lake^^2 Go to Alaska Lake, go around right side (preferable, although left side easier, but have to cross dangerous, cliffy spot) up to Bumblebee pass to lake^^3 Go to Joe Lake, up to pass, down rockslide to lake (generally speaking, longer but easiest route before PCT)- mossback”

“In late 60's and 70's, I went to Alaska Lake more easily than to Joe Lake. Unless things have changed a lot, the “trail” turnoff from Gold Creek should be relatively obvious; the route going up the hill is in an old creek channel; you climb up through rocky stuff, but it isn't dangerous. When you get up to relatively open area, you start angling left. You enter timber hat takes you to Alaska Lake. ^^^^Remember, I'm talking years ago. I suspect most people take the PCT, then drop down to Alaska Lake.^^^^Must have been sometime in late 60's, I'm at Alaska L. with son and friend of his. I'm standing near outlet when I see two young women coming toward me –in bathing suits!! They get to me, and ask “Is this Joe Lake.” They had come up through the creek bed and through brush in their bathing suits. I was flabbergasted. They also wanted to know where the mines were; I told them, in general, but said they didn't dare go to the mines in bathing suits–too brushy. – mossback”

“Forgot to cover the Burnboot Creek route. Yes, people have gone that route, but, usually, only once. I never took that route because I heard so many stories about the notorius brush jungles. – mossback”

“I have been both routes: up Burnt Boot and out, and in and out over Bumble Bee.”

A trail went through the Commonwealth Basin to Goldmeyer (don't know whether it still does). The Trail Blazers went from MidFord past Goldmeyer. The drive to the Goldmeyer turnoff was easy in those days. It was/is a lot shorter than the Snoqualmie Pass/Commonwealth route.

“MB:^^^^The loop that can be made via Commonwealth and Rock Creek and out to Alpental does indeed still exist. It is (I have heard) a favorite hike of Bill Longwell's (of Hi-Lakers and Issquah Alps). You go to what I call Red Pass at the head of Commonwealth, drop down to Goldmeyer HS, down the river, then up Rock Creek to Snow Lake and out. This has been on my list of trips for years and years.”