July 29th, 2005

Bug Fest At Elsay Lake / Photographs

The mosquitoes and flies were brutal during this trip. I didn't bring any bug spray but I did bring a bug jacket which offer some protection to my head and upper body.

From the Mt Seymour parking lot to Brockton Point took me 1.5 hour. I can see Vancouver from there. Another half an hour, I arrived at Elsay Lake Trail junction, left to Mount Seymour, right to the lake. It's basically downhill all the way. First it's Wes' Staircase, a steep section of the trail then Canadian Pass' boulder fields. Some section of the trail's overgrown with bushes and devil's clubs. Good thing I had my gaiters. There's one area where I had to use my hands to scramble over large rocks then it's down to the valley, forest and streams, more feast for the insects. After crossing Elsay Creek and some muddy areas, I arrived at Elsay Lake 5 hours into the hike. The cabin and campsite is bit further to the right.

I slept in my hammock the first night alone except for the bugs.

The next morning I tried some fishing but no luck. Maybe they don't like my lures. So I spent the rest of the day taking pictures mostly around the lake because there's a breeze coming off the lake and the bugs were less aggressive. I also enjoyed sitting by the lake reading the logbook from the cabin and added an entry of my own. In one entry, it rained for several days and the lake water kept rising, almost to the level of the deck! Apparently, there's a logjam at the outlet stream which eventually broke and freed the people trapped in the cabin. Quite an interesting read.

Early next morning, I packed up and left this peaceful lake. I'd definitely come back to this lake, so close to the city and yet it's wilderness.