Write-up: Lu Blanchard
Leader: Lu Blanchard
Co-Leader: Mary Pat Connors

Well, it seems like Cotton Lake all over again. First the road to the trailhead was closed due to flooding when we tried to pre-hike the trail to West River Falls. Then it was open and Mary Pat, being the brave soul she is, drove the four of us back to the trailhead past multiple hunting parties and over a heavily rutted road and sketchy bridge that she bottomed out on! But, we made it to the trailhead and started off.

The day was cold but clear and sunny. Following the description in a brochure we found the “unmarked trail to the left” and proceeded through beautiful open woods on a fairly level path for about a mile. Then we hit Hamilton Lake stream and the bridge that the ranger had told me was there this summer when I checked must have also been taken out by the flooding! With the stream too deep, and with no good stepping stones, and too wide to cross we turned around and checked out a small portion of the NPT.

But, you can bet this hike will be on again when the weather is warm enough to wade across. It took 4 hikes to finally find Cotton Lake and we will find West River Falls too!