[Hulksmash]

I kind of made an attempt to do that too. Quickly ran into cliff bands. It may be possible though. I just don't see the point now. If i can drag my butt out of bed early enough tomorrow. I might make a shot to at maximum copperlake falls. My estimate put it at about 14 miles or so round trip.

[Hulksmash]

From Vesper it is a climber route. Requiring ropes.

[Schroder]

It looks straightforward from Google Earth. There's a logging spur part way up that drainage

[Scrooge]

Somewhere, we got a link to a report by a group of mine buffs who went over Marble Pass and down to the 45 Mine, without technical problems ....... but I can't find it. Anybody remember where that is? It might help you develop your plans a little further. Last fall, Sultan Guy made it up to the Copper Lake outfall via Williamson Creek. - https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7970026&highlight=williamson+creek - It was a fairly brutal bushwhack, which mainly proved that the Copper outfall was not as impressive a waterfall as we'd imagined.

[Schroder]

Scrooge - Hulk & I went to Marble Pass last year. It's a long way down from there. Sultan Guy went very late in the year when there was almost no flow out of Copper Lake & he was also not on the old trail -where you get the best perspective. Here's a reminder

Falls on Copper Lake Trail

It's in a very deep cut & if you're not facing it you won't get much of a view.

[captain jack]

[H. Hound]

And they did it again this year. Part one Part two I think a helicopter is the the onle way I'd be getting into that area.

[Scrooge]

Thanks, CJ, that's certainly the group and the trip that I'm remembering, though I thought the level of detail was more like the pair H. Hound provided from this year. Probably I thought just the fact of the trip was impressive detail. In any event, I've always been in the Williamson Creek faction, so I may not pay as much attention to alternate route reports as I ought. Randy, the thing about the Copper outfall is that it's at too low an angle. The deep slot canyon had fooled us into believing that there was a series of awesome waterfalls hidden back in the shadows. In fact, it's just a long cascade ending in your pictured waterfall. Still a neat place, but not quite the scenic magnet we'd imagined.

[Hulksmash]

[Schroder]

[Hulksmash]

I decided to take one more stab at Randy's suggestion at taking the high route to one of the spur roads off of Williamson creek. Although my main goal was to look for the old Mallardy ridge trail. I accomplished none of my goals. I did manage to travel 2 miles the top of Mallardy ridge. I did not find on singe shred of evidence that a trail ever existed on the top of the ridge, or at least the portion i was on. While i did not reach any road, i believe going up and over the hill could be a viable route down to Williamson creek.

[GeoHiker]

You guys have to stop these posts! Every time this comes up the wheels start spinning. Hmmm, next week is going to be sunny and clear.......I was just looking at the DNR website and there's not an ounce of info. on what's happening with the S. Shore road in the Sultan Basin. At least I can't find anything. Anyone heard if the road will open this year? It could have been open months ago with some added blocking if they wanted to drop in some logs or barriers. There wasn't that much damage at least to the first boat launch. The road worker said the road was fine to the rock quarry, so what gives? If I knew I could drop my kayak in at the east end of the lake I might just spend the week wandering around up there.

[Hulksmash]

Road information was on the PUD site I say was because they have "updated" there web site, i can no longer find where the road information located. The last word i was the road repair would be completed in October, but the PUD typically closes the gate in October. If it was earlier in the year, i would be spending a few days in the general area too.

[GeoHiker]

Thanks Hulk, I forgot to check the PUD site. I'm sure now that they are in the road business they'll keep us well informed!.....YEAH RIGHT. Wasn't the last update for a mid August opening? I'm sure it's a high priority now that they have ownership. The road worker did laugh at me when I mentioned that it was "suppose" to be open in August. He said no way this year. Yeah, maybe to put it back to it's former 1 lane freeway status. Throw up a sign or 2 and warn about the damaged road. I won't be able to drive 45 mph and might have to slow down at a few spots. BFD! Open the road NOW......

[BillyTheMountain]

The Bald Mountain Trail DOES go East to a road above Williamson Creek from the Walt Baily Trail. You can then hike down to Williamson Creek itself and then turn left and go to the Copper Lake outlet. I know because I built that trail in 1974-78. The boy scouts had built a terrible trail that we fixed(DNR) and continued to the summit, Cutthroat lakes and on to Ashland Lakes. The trail IS there. BillyTheMountain