[Brian R]

Drove the Cayada Creek/Coplay Lake Road to the junction with the old jeep spur that leads to Surprise Lake. Parked and hiked the jeep grade to the lake and environs and back. I normally wouldn't bother posting a road hike, but I frequent this area and there are some developments to report. First, the USFS has installed a large TARGET SHOOTING PROHIBITED sign at the Carbon River bridge. $5000 fine and 6months in jail for violators. I'm about as pro-gun as they come--in fact, I was up there hunting--but it is long past time this area was permanently closed to so-called target shooters. Truth is, the area had devolved into a pig stye free-for-all with all types of detritus littering the roadside up to the Twin Lakes trail head and Coplay Lake campsites. Beirut-looking auto hulks. Shot-up televisions laying in creek beds. (Seriously??) Sitting atop Bearhead or Old Baldy or Summit Lake Peak in the Clearwater Wilderness while listening to the continuous drone of rapid fire below. 5.56 slugs zipping past my head as I rode my mountain bike around the corner and back to my car on the old spur road that once led to the Adelaide Lake area this past spring. Done with my rant. THANK YOU USFS!!!! You did a good thing. Second, the lower road has been re-graveled and is now passable to all but the tiniest cars. Still a couple of tricky spots, but a big improvement. Probably won't last beyond the coming October/November rains. But, again, THANK YOU USFS! Fall colors are still out! Surprise Lake is still beautiful. https://www.relive.cc/view/1902942849

[flatsqwerl]

Good news on the improvement. That jeep road is insane. I've hiked that a few times and I marvel that ANY vehicle can actually get up that 4x4 trail.

[Ski]