[fourteen410]

Headed up to Poe Mt. via Irving Pass today. The NOAA forecast predicted mostly sunny skies, but alas, a low cloud deck kept views of Glacier Pk at bay. Quoth the weatherman nevermore. FS 6504 is in great shape, save for a few encroaching bushes and a small washout/rut two miles from the TH. Arrived at the parking area around 12:30pm and made quick time up to Irving Pass. I was surprised to find that the pass was treed in. Headed north from the pass up Poet Ridge via a steep bootpath. The grade eventually eased, but there were plenty of knobs to go up and around. One spot required some handwork. Nothing difficult, but worth noting.

Views soon opened up, offering far reaching views of surrounding valleys and peaks. At the junction just below the false summit (henceforth known as Faux Poe), I went left, descending snow covered meadows. In hindsight, it would have been easier to continue straight at the junction and go up and over Faux Poe. My route eventually linked up with the bootpath heading up to the Poe summit. Some snow remained below the summit, but it was soft enough to not be a problem.

Our summit stay was short, as I was eager to get to Cockeye Lake. Retraced steps down to the junction with the bootpath to Cockeye Lake, around 5600'. The path is easily missed if you're not looking for it. Picked my way down some tricky snow/blowdowns before traversing the slope beneath Faux Poe. I eventually lost the bootpath, and followed the path of least resistance through the snow, but got cliffed out. After trying to figure out the route for some time, I was ready to call it a day. That's when Pebbles ran back to me and gave me the "follow me, it's this way!" look. Sure enough, she took me through the snow and brought us right to the bootpath on the other end. From there on out, the path was snow free and pretty easy to follow all the way to the lake.

Hung out at the lake for an hour before a cold wind encouraged us to begin the journey home.

Back at the car around 7:45pm. Another great day in the hills

[mbravenboer]

Looks good! Nice that you got to visit the lake as well.

[Backpacker Joe]

Ive got access to a pretty amazing high lake database and that lake isn't in it. Are you sure its the correct name?

[RichP]

[fourteen410]

BPJ, I believe it's also known as Poe Pond.

[Backpacker Joe]

Thanks RP. Yes its Poe Mountain lake.

[HitTheTrail]

Good trip. I like that area. Did it look like the road had been brushed out this summer? Some of it was getting narrow last fall.

[Get Out and Go]

A few years ago, on my first attempt to get to the lake, I also lost the trail and was confounded by the route. Fortunately, with Hit the Trail and Leafguy last fall we followed our instincts and were rewarded with a nice little destination, just like you.

[Matt]

That's a fine looking lake. I wish I'd known it was there when I was in the area last weekend.

[Snowdog]

Love "faux poe". And Pebbles is turning into quite the route finder! And camera finder. Or maybe just mind reader…..

[Nancyann]

Snowdog wrote: "Or maybe just mind reader..." I was thinking that too. She seems very tuned in, what a great little dog she has turned out to be.

[the Zachster]

Great trip report! I don't recall any reports about that lake and it's so pretty. Maybe you should keep calling Cockeye Lake and nobody will go... Looks like a great combo peak'n lake trip. And that pup of yours...just AWESOME!!!