[Happy Casting]

Do any of the fishermen out there have any interesting stories about Cliff Lawson (positive ones only, please)? Cliff, who just recently died, was an amazing, innovative explorer of the Cascades backcountry. As a Trail Blazer, he planted (and named) a ton of Washington lakes that many are still catching lunkers from.

[Beefhide]

I am now a Mossback with the TrailBlazers and was on a number of trips with Cliff. Each trip was and adventure into the unknown within the Cascades and I shall never forget any of them. You need to contact guys like Dan Sjolseth, Ed Lebert, Mike Swain,Milt Tanggard, Ed Conroy, who are still active members of The TrailBlazers. Those guys can relate any number of stories about Cliff and their trips with him. Regards, Beefhide

[Oldtimer]

Like "Beefhide" (his real Trail Blazer monicker, not one made up for this forum) says, he could tell you some real stories of trips with Cliff. All you need to do is persuade him to do so. Actually, the people he named could practically take over this forum with stories--all different. Cliff was a mountain traveling machine. He was responsible for most of the lakes that contained fish when the NCNP (North Cascades National Park) was established. But I don't dare get off on that subject, with John Reynolds and NCNP shenanigans. Mike Swayne has 1st ascents of over half-dozen (tough) peaks, and Cliff was with him on one or two. - Oldtimer (another Mossback)

[McPilchuck]

Infinite Trails & Over the Rainbow When I cross the last mountain to the other side, my end thoughts will undoubtedly be to memories of climbing and hiking with family and friends. Thus I go . . . And into the plane where the sunrise and sunset is always glorious, where there is no longer any war and only peace prevails, and where there are no cold winds to chill thee in my slumber beyond . . . my circle is complete. McPilchuck rest Cliff, rest . . .

[Brian Curtis]

I finally got some Cliff Lawson stories up on the Trail Blazer website (www.watrailblazers.org). Here's the direct link.